It all started with New Zealand sheep.
American-born fiber artist Jennifer Angelo began her journey in wool felting when she lived in New Zealand for five years, initially drawn by her husband accepting a position at the University of Otago.
From 2009 to 2014, she witnessed the power of ocean waves crashing onto boulders, the gentle swaying of Toitoi grass heads and the calm grazing of Merino sheep in green pastures. Observing these gentle creatures in the island landscape, Angelo was struck by their serenity and connection to the natural world. The sheep, and the soft wool they produced, inspired in the artist a deep appreciation of the lasting nature of wool fashioned into felt.
Angelo, who holds a PhD in occupational therapy, was born in Kansas and lived in Pennsylvania before moving to New Zealand and eventually settling in Wisconsin. Her observational skills have been honed by education and influenced by her various environments, including rolling landscapes, jutting rock formations and urban architecture. Before felting, she was an experienced weaver who started her skill set weaving baby blankets and table runners on a four-harness floor loom. In New Zealand she encountered felting, an ancient craft that opened up a whole new world of art to Angelo.
Today, the artist uses her observational skills to experiment with different types of wool, changing one element at a time to discover unique undulations of textures, loops, swirls or bumps. She uses high-quality wool sourced from Australia to create felted art pieces. Influenced by thousands of years of felting, she continues the tradition in a modern context, using techniques such as inlays, prefelts and silks to bring a contemporary flair to the ancient art form.
Her techniques involve meticulously laying out individual wisps of fiber before wetting it with soapy water, rolling it in bubble wrap, and agitating it to encourage the wool fibers to entangle and become felt. The result is a luxurious, soft and durable felt, which she then uses to create wall art.
Statement
As an artist, my work is grounded in a deep appreciation for the lasting nature of wool made into felt. This ancient art form has been used for thousands of years, and I am drawn to the timeless beauty and infinite possibilities of using the natural fibers as a medium for artistic expression. Through felting, I am able to explore the curves and lines of mountains and boulders, as well as the basic shapes, patterns, and lines of buildings, all while using only the finest wools and techniques to bring my vision to life.
My inspiration comes from the five years I lived in New Zealand. There, I witnessed the power of the ocean waves against a backdrop of the gentle swaying of the grasses and of sheep as they grazed. While watching these gentle creatures, I am struck by their serenity and connection to the natural world. They exude calm and testament to the beauty and harmony of nature.
I strive to capture this same energy and vitality in my work, using felting to express my connection to the world. I look at a scene that has caught my attention due to the lines or color. The manner in which the light bounces off the objects will intrigue me, and I wonder how I could reproduce this scene using wool.
At the heart of my work is a commitment to being bold like ocean waves, gentle like the grasses and as serene as the sheep. The slow and meditative process of felting allows me to fully immerse myself in my art, exploring new ideas and pushing the limits of what is possible.
Ultimately, I see my work as a reflection of my own journey through life, a testament to the power of creativity and the enduring beauty of the natural world. I am honored to share my art with others and to play a small part in inspiring positive change in the world.
The process of felting is unique in that from a distance, it is often mistake for paintings. It's only upon closer inspection that the individual wool fibers can be seen. I know a piece is successful when it evokes an emotional reaction from viewers. It is my goal that my art will delight and inspire.