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.
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?
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’.
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.
