Feltworkers Experiment N°1 - Ariane Mariane - art textile / Paris

Very strange exercise for me this week - I'll have to introduce myself as one of the 6* Feltworkers! If you never heard about the “feltworkers Experience n°1" please go here. 

You may also read this post in Français, Deutsch, 日本語

Embroidered Felt Art Selfportrait

Ok let’s start it the classical way:

I'm a German artist living & working in Paris, France, since 1995. I studied architecture and graphic design in Paris but through destiny and hazard turned into a textile artist. 

Well, to be honest, I probably always have been an artist in many ways (a messy, creative, out of the box thinker) but had some difficulties to make my coming out in a “normal” family. Studding architecture was the most creative profession I could imagine asking my parents to pay for.

I loved my studies especially as I did them in wonderful Paris. Studding architecture in the city of love was much (creative) fun. In France its less engineer focused than in Germany, what fits me greatly. But it came to the point of working as an architect I got terrified. I didn’t trust in my abilities of planning a building that would stand…

As I had the chance to start working as a free-lance graphical designer during my studies I decided to go ahead with this. It also allowed me to work from home and raise my wonderful daughter.

Felt art painting, animal art by Ariane Mariane - art textile / Paris

But then, in late 2004 I came across this amazing technique of wet feltmaking and immediately felt in love. I started it as a hobby, but was that much addicted that I spent more and more time rubbing wool fibers instead of working on my textile graphics.

After convincing my family and husband, that my love was true, strong and everlasting, I got settled as a textile artiste in 2008 and chose my two first names to become my artist name: “Ariane Mariane – art textile / Paris”.  

I’ve always been persuaded that art should be part of our everyday lives and make it brighter. What I cherish most in felt art, is that it allows to break down the limits between art and wearable.

Exploring surface design through wearabale art : Ariane Mariane - art textile / Paris

Made with love for détails and color - art vest "Buddy" by Ariane Mariane - art textile / Paris

Fiber paintings as warable art - Ariane Mariane - art textile art skirts

Although I regulary create visual art, my focus is on art garments and accessories. I’m foremost known for my art vests & skirts as well as sculptural bags and hats.

My reversible and convertible art garments are thought and designed like paintings. Each side is worked out carefully and with a huge love to witty details. Most of the time, each side is so different from each other that you hardly believe it is the same piece.

Hats and bags are worked out like sculptures and can also be exposed on a shelf, as examples of contemporary fiber art, if you aren’t wearing them.

Because of my funky, humoristic creations and my narrative style I got the nick name “The Storyteller” in our Feltworkers group.

Between art and fashion - scultptural art bags by Ariane Mariane - art textile / Paris. Here art bag "Bunny"

Taking life the fun way with wearable sculptural art here: Fishhatsculpture

Even though I’m specialized in wet felting I employ a huge palette of techniques. Most of my designs are free motion embroidered. I also paint on silk and handmade felt, use different dying techniques, transfer and paper cutting techniques. I’m always curious to learn and explore new skills.

Being an artist means to me, being able to deal with “what’s coming up”. Mastering several techniques increases my possibilities to deal with a given situation and allows me to find original solutions.

In my case, creating is very similar to playing. I most of the time jump into a new project without a former plan. I just start somewhere and see where my intuition takes me. It’s not always easy because ideas don’t show up when you are asking for.

Visual Felt Art by Ariane Mariane - art extile / Paris - triptic "Mother, Father, Son"

I constantly work on several pieces in same time, they are nourishing each other. Sometimes I need weeks to finish an art work and may get really upset because I can’t find “the solution”. But I also now “the more I struggle the more I will be satisfied by the result”.

During the years, “mistakes” became my best friends. Today, when something doesn’t turn out as expected, I see it as an opportunity to challenge my creative mind.  

Through my own experience, Pablo Picassos affirmation “Inspiration exist but it has to find you working” became my slogan.  

That's it for now. If you want to read about me in French, please check Feltworker team member Cindy Larrat's blog. For a very flattering German post go to Maria Friese and if you read Japanese, you should see Feltworker Terumi Ohta’s blog.

Thank you for your support and don’t hesitate to like our Feltworkes Facebook page. Please share with friends and family and let’s rock felt art!!

*Yes there are 6 Feltworkers but we keep the last one secret for now - I'm sure you'll be amazed!