Karen Stewart

I am a feltmaker and textile artist creating wearable art (bags and wraps) and wall art. I work primarily in wet felting, but also incorporate multiple textiles including silk fibres and fabrics, plant fibres and wool locks and yarns to create richly detailed textures inspired by nature. Colour and texture are integral to my work.

The changing light and colours of the seasons are a constant source of inspiration for me as are the textures and details in nature and natural elements. I find colour to be incredibly uplifting and mood enhancing and texture creates not only depth and interest but encourages one to look further and even touch. Some of my wall art is left unglazed to enable the viewer to get closer to the detail and as wool is naturally water, dust and dirt resistant, there is no fear of damage.

The wool trade used to be a thriving industry in the UK but has declined rapidly since the 1950s and many sheep farmers are now forced to discard their fleeces because they cannot sell them. Like many felt makers, I started out using merino wool, but since learning about the plight of UK sheep farmers, I have made the decision to start using British wool as much as possible. British wool is often quite coarse because of the climate and when felted it becomes extremely strong, so is ideal for structural forms such as bags and bowls. Wool is also naturally water resistant, stain resistant and hardwearing.

As well as selling at various shows and online, I offer feltmaking tutorials for small groups from my home studio in Leicestershire and at other venues in neighbouring counties.

I am a member of the International Feltmakers Association.