More learning: we are creating colour gradations and mixing colours without using pre-done dye measurements, still on the last bit of the acid dye section. The natural dye section is next and that is something that I am looking forward to; it was one of the courses that jumped out at me in the summary of the program here.
Went outside today to gather up some materials for our first natural dye experiment; I got some pine cones, chestnuts, and berries, brought it to the school, mashed up the chestnuts and put the whole thing in a container with water to soak. By our next class on thursday it should be pretty good... though I do think that in order to get a better dye the materials have to sit longer than a few days.
Learned how to clean and process yarn in preparation for dyeing it/ not the most exciting aspect, but I think that's mainly because I am unsure if yarn would be of use to me. I know what felt can do, and it can do some very nice sculptural and installation type art (which I love). Yarn isn't something I can see fitting into my art practice/projects, though I am constantly tempted to make 'that's a yarn' jokes.
Working on our only major project/ I'm making a hat/hood thing that's white with orange stripes. All felted, but I'm only at the stage of putting it together. The photo above is where I'm at so far. Next step is to put the dyed wool onto it in stripes. It's a bit disappointing that there aren't more projects to do, and I am hoping that will change as we get all the basic skills down (all the samples and experiments we're doing with felt and dye).
I am still wondering in the back of my skull if I was right in going back to school, if this is what I need or if it was even necessary. I have so many skills already, do I need to do this to be a better artist? But then I have to remind myself of why I decided in the end to go, and that was to learn more. To be more educated, to be forced to create art using materials that I would normally never touch. I was surprised to like felting; I'd never before thought of wool as anything I would use and yet I am planning out projects that would incorporate it at least, and others that require it as the main material. I still have more ideas that don't use wool, but now I have another option.
