A felt picture of Arran,
Made on Arran,
Entirely from Arran Products
My felt picture, supported by #CreativeScotland is now complete and on display in my studio.
The inspiration for this picture is the iconic view of Goatfell from the Brodick Castle grounds
It is made entirely from Arran sourced produce
The sheep fleece used to create the picture is from Arran sheep at #BellevueFarm at Blackwaterfoot and #CreagraineachFarm in Kildonan
The Alpaca fleece was from Alpacas at #BellevueFarm and #ArranAlpacas at Balmichael
The fleece was washed, separated and carded here in my studio in Whiting Bay
The fleece was dyed here in my studio using only plants grown on the island and using no chemicals. Plants used include:
Nettles, St John's Wort, elderberries and blackberries from Whiting Bay hedgerows
Broom flowers and wild garlic leaves from the Glenashadale forest track
Beetroot and bluebells from my garden
Comfrey and marigolds from the #ArranCommunityLandInitiative
Eucalyptus bark (windfall) from #BrodickCastle grounds
Blackcurrants and carrot tops from #RobinGraysIslandGourmet farm
Red Cabbage from the Honesty Box at #ClachaigFarm
Foxgloves and Cow Parsley from the fields above Whiting Bay
Cornflowers, Crocus, Daffodils and Iris from my plot at the Arran Community Land Initiative
The picture is hanging from a piece of driftwood found on Kildonan beach.
I have documented the progress of this project in my blog throughout the year so you can read more about the sources and my experiments there.
If you would like to watch a video that shows the whole process from the sheep that sourced the fleece to the felting of the picture you can follow this link to watch the video Pure Arran Felt Picture
Or you can visit my studio where I have displayed the picture, the sketches and some of the dyed fleece - do visit if you are in Whiting Bay, I would love to meet you and tell you about the project
