Women’s Retreat: Needle Felted Landscapes with Audra Christie
June 21 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
In this workshop, you will learn the art of “painting” with wool using the dry needle felting technique, which requires no water.
Inspired by Maine’s breathtaking coastal scenery, you will create a beautiful, textured landscape on muslin and finish your piece in an 8-inch embroidery hoop, ready to hang. Bring a favorite landscape photo or draw inspiration from the stunning surroundings. No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to explore this meditative and tactile art form. This workshop is part of Connections: Nature, Inspiration, and Creativity, a retreat series by Women for Healthy Rural Living designed to foster creativity, renewal, and community in nature. Leave feeling refreshed and inspired with a one-of-a-kind felted artwork. All materials are provided.
All levels of art experience are welcome.
Schedule
Morning
- Welcome and introductions
- Introduction of John Marin’s home by Lisa Marin
- Activity – Create a brainstorming sketch of your landscapes in the round to prep for needle felting.
- An introduction to needle felting and laying out your fibers to prepare for the felting process.
- Review different-sized needles and other tools and what they are used for.
- Pick out your colored wool for your landscape.
Lunch followed by some free time to explore our stunning venue (weather permitted)
Afternoon
- Laying out your wool for the background colors and begin felting.
- Final group and independent work time: working on felting your landscapes. Finish by adding fine details.
- Share and discuss our work and process together.
What to Bring
- All necessary art materials will be provided. However, if you have favorite felting tools, you are welcome to bring them.
Refunds
We understand that unexpected things happen. You will receive a full refund if you need to cancel, provided we can fill your spot.
The venue for this retreat is the summer home of John Marin, the great American modernist artist. This spectacular home on Pleasant Bay in Cape Split, Addison, enjoys views of Sheep Island, Gooseberry Nubble, and Norton Island. Explore Maine’s rocky coast and local beaches during your visit.
About Audra Christie
Audra Christie is an artist and dedicated arts educator residing in Cherryfield, Maine, on her 15-acre homestead, where she lives with her partner and eight-year-old son. Her true passion lies in the world of fiber art, where she felts hats and other art objects, spins yarn, knits, and crochets using the wool from the three pet sheep she raises on her property. Audra’s work delves into a myriad of themes, exploring ethics, craftsmanship, local culture, conviviality, and the essence of rural communities. She has engaged with various formats, from public installations to hosting engaging events like bingo and community dinners and transforming a tiny house into a portable fiber art studio. Audra’s journey as an artist began with a BFA in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts from the University of Maine at Machias in 2003, followed by an MFA in Studio Art at the Maine College of Art & Design in Portland, Maine, completed in May 2015.
