New Landscapes
I started a couple of small landscapes this past week using pieces of nuno felt for the backgrounds but using the wool side instead of the silk side. I thought the “backs” were more reminiscent of forest than the silk side.
I already had some of the “birch” silk paper that I made several years ago so I used it for making trunks. Here’s my inital layouts for the two pieces. They are both about 5″ x 11″.
I then stitched the trunks down with 30 weight cotton machine thread in a very light grey. You might have noticed that I added a few more tree trunks to the right photo as it seemed a bit bare.
Then off to the machine to stitch the branches with free motion machine stitching. I only got one of the pieces machine stitched as I got tired with machine stitching. I am out of practice, I guess. Now what to do for the leaves? I could hand stitch, or use some type of applique.
It could be like ‘Thick with Green’ where I used cheesecloth for leaves.
Or perhaps more like ‘The First Leaf’ with green leaves instead of yellow. Or I could hand stitch the leaves? What do you think?
Thanks Carlene for providing me inspiration to create more birch trees!
21 thoughts on “New Landscapes”
Using the reverse of the nuno felt is a great idea – it gives a wonderful background.
I vote for the ‘first leaf’ kind of leaves, in green.
Thanks Lyn and Annie. Thanks for your vote, I will have to see what kind of green fabric I already have.
I agree with Lyn, the First Leaf type looks good; the Thick with Green would look better with the thinner trunks as it looks more distant.
I think that that background is great, but for a lakeside landscape rather than a forest one. The way the felt has behaved because of being the back of a Nuno piece, really looks like water.
Awaiting the next step with bated breath 🫣
Ann
Thanks Ann, you’re right about the background. It does feel more lakeside/river/water than a thick forest. If I was trying to make water, I’m sure I couldn’t get it to look like this. I still haven’t made a decision on leaves but it will most likely depend on what I have in my stash. I agree about the thinner trunks working best with the cheesecloth.
Hi, I love your felt work, I use a similar process but turn the piece over to the right side and continue with adding fine layers of fibres. I’ve created moorland type landscapes. the dyed silk shows through in places adding texture. I then hand and machine stitch until I think it’s finished. Using the Nuno technique makes a lighter felt that much easier to machine and hand stitch into. You’ve inspired me to continue with mine. I have a seascape somewhere in my workroom, resting as a wip. Thanks for posting I love your results.
Kathy
Thanks Kathy! I would love to see some of your moorland type landscapes or your seascape. You can submit photos here: https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/community-photo-submissions/
I totally agree about using nuno for backgrounds, lovely to stitch on and to add more details.
I am with the other I vote for the leaves in green. Like Ann my first thought was water behind the trees. I don’t think it changes how you do the leaves but maybe some of the ground work and maybe the names of the pieces?
Thanks Ann, I agree about the water, so these may be lake or river named pieces. Thanks for your vote. I’ll see what I have in my stash.
I think both pieces are absolutely fabulous as is. The yellow leaves are a bit bright but “interesting” and to me adds a WOW factor. As they say “art is in the eye of the beholder”!
And the dyed gauze for the leaves is genius.
Thanks Jackie, I agree that the yellow is bright but that is what the fall looks like around here. Very bright yellows. I’m still working out how the unfinished trees will be “leaved” but it will depend what I already have on hand.
Love seeing you evolve your practice!
Thanks Penny!
Beautiful colours. I am getting a wintery feel from these two pictures, so I think just a few leaves hanging on for dear life midst the chill?
Thanks Marie, that’s a different perspective, winter. I always find it amazing how different people see something that others don’t. Thanks for the different idea.
I agree with Marie, definitely a chilly day. The colours of the “water” look really cold and the grass looks as if it is shivering!
Ann
Love the pictures, Ruth. I’m with the ‘first leaf’ style but in green vote. I also agree that there’s a strong suggestion of a lake in the background but I don’t really see winter. Maybe it’s just that at the moment the trees are leafless?
Anyway, I have every confidence you’ll do something lovely and interesting with both pieces and look forward to seeing how they turn out.
Thanks Lindsay, I don’t really see winter either but people always see different things, don’t they? Still working out the leaf situation 😉
Love your pieces so far Ruth with your placement of the trees.
I’m totally in agreement with Lindsay and look forward to seeing your progress.
Thanks Antje, I am working on it now and it’s coming along. I will show the results with my next post.
So creative!
Thanks Tul!