Writhe (Object of Intrigue) , wool through paper, 15 x 15 x 2023

This one-of-a-kind wool drawing through paper is part of my ‘Objects of Intrigue’ body of work, borrowing from the seed pods, bony structures, folds of flesh, geological features, and growth patterns I observe in my everyday walks through my neighborhood, visits to natural history museums, and research.. Like nature itself the depictions suggest cycles of growth, aging, death, and regeneration-- all uncontrollable phenomena that proceed regardless of human understanding or will.

There's something about seeing a drawing from afar, assuming it's made of ink or perhaps charcoal, and then getting up close and seeing that it's HAIR. I created this wool drawing by punching naturally-colored tan and black wool fiber through thick white paper using a felting needle; half of the wool protrudes through the back side of the thick paper. This is an Open Edition, meaning I may revisit this subject again-- but each wool rendition will be unique. Yes, as far as I know I invented this technique, such as it is. At least I never saw or knew of anyone else using felting needles to 'draw' with wool by pushing it through paper; I started doing this in 2007.

This drawing is neither matted nor framed. Framing should ideally be in a shadowbox or surrounded with several layers of matting to let the hairs have space. Please display this work under UV glass or out of direct sunlight; like watercolor paintings, the color of the wool may change over time in direct sun.