Alexa Ginsburg

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My work is inspired by the beauty of the natural world, a deep appreciation for rich colors, intricate patterns, and the joy of creative expression.

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I fell under the spell of feltmaking after taking a workshop with feltmaking artist, Chad Alice Hagen. Since then, I've had the opportunity to study with many more, including Polly Stirling, the originator of the art of Nuno Felting which combines wool fibers with fabric. It is the alchemical magic of fibers; where the synergy of soap, water, and friction collaborate to craft mesmerizing felted blends, brimming with vivid colors and enticing textures that caught hold of me and hasn’t let go.

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The art of felting is an ancient technique spanning millennia, cherished for its utility and cultural significance in clothing, adornments, shelter, and warmth. It is a labor intensive craft using animal wool that is cleaned, layered, saturated with soapy water, rolled tightly and subjected to vigorous agitation that cause the fibers to felt.

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My work is informed by both traditional felt making techniques and contemporary innovations. For my nuno felt wearables, I use layers of wool with silk and animal fibers along with hand-dyed silk fabric. This blend of diverse fibers and textiles affords limitless possibilities, enabling me to seamlessly merge colors, textures, and forms while preserving the innate beauty of natural materials.

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My journey through the arts includes growing up in a family of artists and designers,

a degree in fine art from Cooper Union in New York and a previous life as a graphic designer and children's book illustrator. Today, my passion lies in crafting artful toys, refined scarves, and an array of captivating accessories from my studio in the Mid Hudson Valley.

 

I’m a member of Arts MidHudson, the Northeast Feltmakers Guild and the International Feltmakers Association.

–Alexa