To create these vivid felt paintings, Suzanne uses various colors of fleece, wool and other fibers such as tussah silk, bamboo, and tinsel. Suzanne uses humane, cruelty-free wool from reputable, family-owned farms who take proper care of their sheep and farm animals.
"My favorite felt supplier is LivingFelt.com
Marie and her staff at Living Felt offer amazing customer service, a wide range of colorful fibers and everything I need for felting. They deliver quickly and I never have to wait long to get the colors I need. They've been instrumental in helping me establish my felt studio."
The felting process begins by laying out strips of wool and other fibers to block out a painting and establish the base layer.
After the base layer is blocked out, mesh nylon is applied over the wool and fibers to hold them in place, and the fibers are felted with soap and warm water.
The fibers are rolled over and over, sometimes with a bamboo mat, around a pool noodle with thermal pool covering material, or with a rolling pin. The goal is to roll the fibers and apply friction until they felt together to create a single layer. The soap is rinsed out, and after the layer dries, smaller amounts of wool and other fibers are applied with a barbed needle to add highlights and details.
The end result is a vibrant, ethereal painting with shimmering color, highlights and depth that engages the eye.