Inspired by Joomchi

  I recently came across two books…images on the covers that stopped my steps and set my heart beating a little faster….
Yesterday’s studio inspiration came from Joomchi and Beyond by Jiyoung Chung.

 It is an enticing craft form….similar to felting, but also different.   I love finding a medium new to me, and letting the inspiration trickle into my own work….sometimes it happens…sometimes it’s time is not yet ripe….

  As of yesterday I have completed most of my “required” work…..gallery restocked….fibre shows done…..retreats planned and almost full…..and now I can just be creative…..and yesterday became about starting a relationship with Joomchi….
Spaces…openings….screens and obscurities….layers and layers…what can be seen and what can not….the idea of “pockets” and what they may hold….

Openings cut, and pulled and formed at prefelt stage…..

And felted…..I love the random relationship of the spaces….

  It will became a part of this dress (that may became a short sleeved cardigan/coat)…..probably dyed in shimmery underwater hues.The bodice is knitted and fulled cashmere and silk, the felting of which was a once very unhappy accident- but that was two or three years ago now, and the knitwear just presented itself again last week, ready for transformation! Now it’s just exciting!….an underlayer of handdyed silk, nuno felted into ripples….

  This dress is the piece I am working on primarily this week….It still has many layers to be added to it before it will be finished…and creating every layer is pure pleasure!  Such a luxury to be able to spend the time desired fully devoted to a single project! Oh! Happy fall studio time!

  Read more about joomchi, and the work of artist Jiyoung Chung at http://jiyoungchung.com/
  Warm wishes,
Fiona