Today we’d like to introduce you to Noelle Russow.
Hi Noelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The desert light in Oracle, Arizona, has a way of seeping into your bones, transforming the mundane into something magical. For years, I’d dabble, as many do – a little drawing here, a few quick snapshots there. It wasn’t until the COVID lockdown that my disparate interests began to truly intertwine, setting me on the path to becoming a fiber, mixed media, and photography artist.
It started subtly, with an interest in getting some wool dryer balls in an attempt to be more eco-friendly and reduce my carbon footprint. Nothing was available, and I thought, well, how hard could it be to make some dryer balls? I went to a couple of craft stores. I bought some wool roving and yarn. I stumbled upon a woman who taught felting for free on YouTube. I loved her videos! I found myself instinctively buying and reaching for piles of colorful wool from her business. I began to interpret animals, landscapes, and sunsets in fiber – a swirling, textured piece that, surprisingly, felt more expressive than any photograph I’d ever taken. It was liberating, this tactile response to a visual experience. The rest is history.
Then came the mixed media. I was becoming more experienced in fiber art and learned to incorporate beads, fabric, ribbons, even a horse bit, bridle leather, and a buckle, into my pieces. My mother has a “craft store” of her own from years of accumulated shopping and is an artist in her own right. She went through her stash, unearthing forgotten scraps of fabric, charms, gems, and leftover trinket pieces from projects. My mind, now attuned to the possibility of blending, started to see connections. What if I stitched or embedded this or that onto fabric? What if I used a dried cholla skeleton or wood in a fiber landscape? The “what ifs” became irresistible.
I remember one particularly pivotal moment. I wanted to make a scrapbook cover for photos & keepsakes of my Friesian stallion. Once I completed the wet felting process, I thought, “This needs more.” I took an old bit (for the closure piece), a piece of leather from his bridle, and part of an old rein, then, with needle and thread, began to stitch and embroider, adding layers, and even some gems to give it sparkle. It was no longer just a piece of felt; it was a textile rich in a fusion of memory and material.
Another key piece in my journey was a photograph of a round barn. I wanted to make a piece of art for the woman from whom I get my fiber and for all her free teachings. A token of my appreciation, if you will. When I thought of her & the company she built, I had this specific image in my head. The only thing left to do was get it onto a felt sheet canvas. I wanted to express that tangibly. I experimented with incorporating polymer clay, embroidery thread, and silk. The piece was 16″x 20″, took over 200 hours to complete, and I delivered it to her in Texas. She was so surprised and grateful! She framed it behind museum glass, asked if she could use the piece as inspiration for her commercial (brought it to life through animation), and invited me back to “interview” me for an upcoming show! I was deeply honored!
It’s been a winding path, fueled by curiosity and a relentless desire to see how different forms of expression can complement and elevate one another. From the vast, quiet beauty of the Arizona desert to other inspirations found in nature, every experience now feeds into my artistic practice. Proving that inspiration can be found anywhere, if you just open your eyes – and your hands – to its possibilities.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been fairly smooth in learning to felt. The possibilities are limited only by imagination and the tenacity to get the desired result. Some pieces, like wearables (jewelry, scarves, purses), are less time-consuming than needle-felted 2D or 3D sculptures. I took to felting like water off a duck’s back. The struggles along the way were mainly in my business “start-up”. All the federal & state business filings, creating an LLC, financial management, and creating a website were challenging, but I did it all myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a felt, mixed-media, amateur photographer and fiber artist, I skillfully bridge the gap between photography and tactile art. I begin with my striking photographs, and/or other inspirational pictures & ideas. These images serve as my canvas, which I then enhance and transform through a rich application of fiber art techniques (needle, wet, and nuno felting) and mixed media elements.
My process involves curating a wide variety of fibers, meticulously embroidering key details, and adding metallic threads for sparkle or glass beads for subtle luminescence. I experiment with unconventional materials, integrating elements to add textural dimension that contrasts beautifully with the softness of the fiber.
I guess I’m known for making expensive artwork. So, I wanted to allow more people to enjoy the beauty of my art when they can’t afford the “original” work. I have recently allowed for reprints & merch to be available through my Fine Art America/Pixels website.
What sets my work apart is this unique fusion: you don’t just capture a scene; you interpret and reimagine it, adding depth, texture, and a new narrative through the interplay of soft fibers and embellishment materials. My art becomes a multi-sensory experience, inviting viewers to not only see, but also feel the essence of the moment and the memory. I translate visual experiences, like wedding photos, pets, and nature, into tangible, layered artworks that resonate with personal expression and innovative material use.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Taking risks is in my nature. I’ve always been one to try out new experiences. I was born a bit of a daredevil. I often start a piece with a simple intent, and it often grows into much more. I constantly push myself to try new incorporations of elements and swing for the fence if you will! I stand behind my work as I see my art as heirloom quality. Therefore, since I offer an iron-clad warranty on my work, I make it “right” with the intent to stand the test of time. I think that’s pretty risky since the nature of fiber art is often quite delicate.
Pricing:
- 50.00
- 1000.00+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thegleefulewe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tge_thegleefulewe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tge.thegleefulewe
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoelleRussow
- Other: https://2-noelle-russow.pixels.com/controlpanel/activity.html
Image Credits
Noelle Russow – Owner
The Gleeful Ewe
