"COASTAL HAY BALES"

COASTAL HAY BALES

"A roadside vignette that encapsulates the inventiveness and sheer hard work of farmers as they grow, cut and harvest the hay for the coming winter months.  This collation was located near Bass Strait, not far from my home.  Farmers are the salt of the earth.  I find it a great pity that politicians forget that farmers feed the people of this country."

MATERIALS:  Hand dyed Australian Merino wool, handmade felt, dry needle felting, Japanese seed bead embroidery, freeform hand embroidery, hand dyed cotton scrim, viscose, felted embellishment fibres, silk slub.  Canvas size:  40 x 50 cms.  Actual felt painting measures approximately 28 x 31 cms.  Finished felt painting has been mounted on black, sealed canvas with D-rings and wire for ease of hanging.  The felt work has been dyed with archival quality acid dyes (vinegar) for product integrity.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS:  This work has been treated with UV fabric protectant.  Do not hang this work in a bright or sunny room.  Do not hang this work in a damp environment.  To clean, simply spray with canned air in short bursts to remove any surface dust.  A gentle flick with a feather duster on occasion will assist to keep this work dust free if you do not have canned air.  Do not handle the felt work itself.  I have felt paintings that are several years old hanging in excellent condition due to these siting and care recommendations.

ABOUT FELT:  The oldest textile medium known to humanity; predating weaving.  Custom dyed Australian Merino wool I hand dye each summer.  I hand felt using approximately 1,200 hand rollings; making for very laborious work.  Lined and then embellished with freeform hand embroidery using quality imported embroidery threads and fine beadwork.