Felted Flock Goes Public

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The idea to needle felt a flock of sheep first arrived three years ago. I dismissed it. The real flock of sheep was around 500 head, already down from its previous 600+
There were 13 dogs here.
Coyotes were ever present.
The prairie was becoming dry.
A year went by and the idea was still rambling around in my head. I made one sheep, then three, then a guardian dog… I thought at the least it could be a way to promote wool.
Drought came in the time between then and now.
The real flock of sheep is down to175 ewes
There are 11 dogs
Coyotes are still abundant.
Prairie is hanging on.
And just recently I entered the Felted Flock into an art show, displaying what became of a crazy idea, sharing a visual story of this sheepish life. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2814″ img_size=”500 x 300″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The flock drew attention to itself. A popular comment from adults: absolutely amazing. Followed by: how much time does it take? A popular comment from children: oh this is so cool. Followed by: how do you make these?
” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Now that the show is complete and I have a moment to digest i thought i would share a little about my entry and the artistic side of this project from my perspective. I recognize that sharing some felted sheep online can come across as cute play and many will pass it by, however, there is something deeper going on here that I know now is experienced when people see the flock ‘in the flesh’. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The art show was an adjudicated event and also the first opportunity to display the flock in public. Each entrant was allowed to enter a series of five pieces. The set up of the flock was done in five scenes which merged into one another as real life with them does. 1) At Winter’s Pace 2) The Wool Harvest 3) Lambing and Grazing 4) Coexisting 5) Of Circular Nature

There are also other nuances to the set up – a fox watching in the background, a guardian dog sitting near the dead ewe, sheep with different wool type, animals with different character. All meant to be absorbed by the viewer as they take a longer look.
By the way, I did a practice set up of this at home in order to figure out who was going where and how the story line could connect as seamlessly as possible and still fit on an eight foot table. That took an entire morning to figure out and not all the sheep are present.

Once entered into the show I mentally propped myself up for receiving the adjudicator’s critique; necessary to helping one grow and expand. I prepared for the possibility of being told that this was not art and not a valid entry. But I did not consider the opposite result. I did not consider that the Felted Flock display might take a winning spot, which it did.

I am very pleased of course, and a little taken aback, that this wee flock and the creation of it was deemed worthy of such recognition. Onward we go.

This is not the finish for the Felted Flock. I still intend to carry on to 150 sheep.

It’s an odd feeling to head out in the am and feed the real sheep and then head off to town to watch the reaction to seeing the felted ones. I am ever so grateful I went and for the chance to watch people take this in and enjoy it. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:18|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2815″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Progress on The Felted Flock

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The felted flock passes the one hundred sheep mark. For the love of wool, the project is two thirds complete.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2793″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Missing from this photo are the shepherdess, who is taking the photo, and the Kelpie who is at her side holding all in place with a steely gaze.

Since I last posted about the felted flock here on the blog two shearer’s and a couple new non-sheep characters have been added, along with more sheep of course, there are always those. Three old characters were stripped down to the wire armature they are built upon and re-done. No matter how I tried to justify leaving them be they needed to be changed up or head to the trash.

Outside of spending days and nights immersed in every thing sheep, real and created, I have secured two public events to show the Felted Flock at. One is an art show and one is a fibre festival. I am super excited about both these opportunities. While the project has a ways to go before being complete it is time for it to be seen by eyes other than my own. [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2794″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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The Coexistence of Guardian Dogs and Stock Dogs

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”2786″ img_size=”large”][vc_custom_heading text=”Since the guardians live with the flock and offer a form of protection to the sheep the sheep develop a type of blind trust in the guardian dogs. Hence when the guardian dog travels the sheep often follow and should the guardian dog stop, all the sheep stop. In this relation there is little allowance for the shepherd (we are the outsider) and while we have influence over our guardian dogs we do not have a partnership that allows for control of their actions and movements. Because of the trust between flock and guardians often times the guardian dog can make decisions that work against us when we are trying to get the sheep somewhere in particular (the sheep trust the dog more than us). If we’re lucky the guardian dogs can take the sheep right where we need them to go. If the guardian dog causes a real hold up then I’ll remove the guardian. Often times me moving in and telling the dog that while I appreciate his work I really need him/her to bugger off right now will do it. If not, or if I foresee a bigger problem I lease the dog and bring them with or tie them up. In the past I have had guardian dogs where by it was necessary to remove them prior to working with the sheep because the dogs could not stand idly by and allow a stock dog to work. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2785″ img_size=”large”][vc_custom_heading text=”The stock dog on the other hand acts with predatory intent which the sheep are wary of. The stock dog and the shepherd have the trusting relationship, versus the sheep and the dog. With a stock dog the sheep are steered where needed by virtue of wanting to avoid the stockdog who is hunting them. The shepherd has influence of the maneuvers of the stock dog and hence some control over where everyone is going. When it comes to taking the flock somewhere they haven’t been for awhile the stock dogs are a huge asset. Most stock dogs are so keen to work they have little notice of the guardian dogs and simply work around them.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”2787″ img_size=”large”][vc_custom_heading text=”Usually the shepherd is along in any movement of the flock, thereby helping to keep peace on their merit as leader. For the most part, the stock dog and the guardian dog get along by virtue of the broader relationship of the whole. The shepherd is guiding that whole and aiming for peace for all. However should this relationship break down and the guardian dog decides he/she has a problem with a stock dog, the guardian dog nearly always wins. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_custom_heading text=”Typically the dogs will sort out their objections very quickly with a look or a subtle gesture in passing. You’d miss it if you didn’t know to watch for it. Also, dogs who know each other and are crossing paths frequently in work have their places and roles established so major upset is not very common. New dogs get extra supervision and a get to know you period. When a dog takes serious issue with another then the worse case scenario is a fight and the outcome of that is highly dependent on the dogs involved, however, the guardians have the advantage of size and intent (seriousness is part of their role against predators so they fight in a serious manner). ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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