Meet June Hope and Discover How Nature Inspires Her Textile Art
My felting career started in 2008 with a relocation from my hometown of Melbourne to a remote area near Cradle Mountain.
This radical change away from a busy professional and social life meant I needed to create a new focus and felt-making became it.
Although my circumstances were rudimentary to say the least, I started, in a very small way, to make felted wearables which quickly found representation in local galleries and craft fairs.
I later moved to the coastal town of Ulverstone where I have a wonderful home studio.
A Lifetime Passion for Textiles
With a lifetime passion for textiles and fabrics, garment making was ever-present in my world.
The shift to felt and wearables seemed almost natural and my work quickly gained a solid reputation for unique, interesting garments and accessories.
Later, I returned to my background in pottery to create sculptural forms using the medium of felt.
This has led to my current work which sees expression through both 2D felted mixed media work and 3D sculptural forms.
Coastal Inspiration
I am constantly inspired by the Tasmanian landscape.
Frequently, I walk on the beach near my home and observe the textures, patterns, colours and movements of the changing shoreline.
Tasmania has a rich and interesting geological history and its formations excite and inspire me to envision them in felt.
So, I guess, it’s mostly those factors that are my muse.
June Creates Alchemy
What I just love about felt-making is that you can never predict how something will look when it’s done!
It’s almost alchemical!
The magic of felting is what keeps me hooked and if I lived another 100 years, I would never know all it can do!
It can be used to create almost anything – 2D artwork, 3D sculptural work, a myriad of wearable and practical items just to mention a few!
No other medium has that versatility…and that’s what keeps me hooked.
Nurturing the Muse and Wellbeing
Making time to walk and observe helps me nurture both my creative muse and my wellbeing.
Connecting with likeminded friends and colleagues gives me a way to toss ideas and uncertainties around …. over coffee, of course!
Also, a themed exhibition allows me to deeply consider and then determine how I might express my interpretation using my medium. Inspiration abounds…we just need to let it in!
Being Guided by Intuition
The main lesson I have learnt in life and in art is to ‘listen to my intuition and be guided by it’.
I know whenever I ignore it, it comes back to test me again!
And the other one is ‘trust yourself’….and I need to remember both of these as I venture further into the newer side of my art practice!
About the Artist
I am a textile artist specialising in the ancient craft of felt-making but with a contemporary flair.
My practice, mainly focused on unique, high-end wearable art but the changes Covid brought saw me pivot towards 2D felted mixed media and 3D sculptural objects.
I have participated in many group and solo exhibitions and am fortunate to have been the recipient of numerous awards.
The work can be found in several Tasmanian and interstate galleries.
My art is represented by Hobart’s Nolan Gallery.
Find June on Facebook and Instagram and visit her website for news about her work and exhibitions.
Artist Profile Stories
I want there to be more arts and crafts in our world, in our communities and in our own lives. Hopefully you’ve found this blog post inspiring and interesting.
So I’m creating, with your help, Art Trails Tasmania, allowing all of us who feel this love to create more of it.
And the Art Trails Tasmania blog is a key part of making this happen, telling the stories of members. It’s about what they have happening with workshops and classes, exhibitions, open studio trails, where to find their outlets, markets, fairs and festivals so you can shop their creations as well as their art and craft retreats.
Also being shared are the supporters of our artists, the galleries, shops, cafes, art societies and groups, places to stay and artist in residencies.
Being an Artist and Creating is at the Very Core of Annette Fuller
When Being an Artist Is Who You Are with Annette Fuller Being an artist and creating is who I am and is as necessary as breathing for my mind body and soul. Art gives me far more than just joy, if I am away too long from engaging in my art practice my fingers get...
Meet the Renowned Nature Inspired Textile Artist Rita Summers
Meet the Textile Artist Collaborating with Nature I totally revel in being able to collaborate with my surroundings for my art, whether it be collecting leaves, discovering objects on the road that I can salvage, eco printing and dyeing or just being outside. I am a...
Meet Jane Seychell: Capturing the Realism of a Moment in Time
A Love for Nature Shines Through Jane Seychell's Art My work captures the realism of a moment in time. I use colour pencils to blend hues and bring my art to life. My subjects range from childhood memories to the vibrant flora around me. A love for nature shines...
