Sometimes we have setbacks (like moving) that delay our goals (like vending at Flock & Fiber Festival) so instead….we find consolation in imaginative pursuits.  Something to occupy the mind, keep twitchy fingers busy and satisfy the creative urges.

In September 2016, I began a needle felted dragon sculpture, but Life interrupted and the wire armature was repeatedly set aside  This year I resolved to complete the dragon and enter it into Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival 2017 – Fiber Arts Competition.

I’ve been immensely happy working on this Dragon sculpture.  The idea for it was sparked by the pebbly texture of a (white) Bombyx silkworm cocoon.  Then furthered by the discovery of naturally metallic gold wild Indonesian silk cocoons (cricula).  Wouldn’t they make fabulous dragon scales?   Yes indeed!  All 142 gold spine scales.

Eventually, the realization sunk in that every. single. scale. would have to be dyed – in multiple steps – to achieve color progression before attachment to the needle-felted body.  Hundreds of scales. Countless hours.  Already enthralled with the idea, I couldn’t stop.  And yes, those are lots of needle scratches on my thumbnail.  Ouch.  Hmmm.  Well jab some green wool to decide eye placement, and keep on working….

And every step of the way, this dragon held surprises for me.  I delved into the project knowing how to make a wire armature, secure & sculpt the wool to shape a body.  But there were many questions and simple faith that “I’d figure out something” for the rest.

How to dye the cocoon scales?  Experiment with ideas…  Fail again & again.  Keep trying until weeks later, your wacky idea succeeds.  Far too much experimentation to describe in writing…  it would takes pages more…

How to make the feet, horns, teeth & eye socket?  Homemade air dry clay.  Cold Porcelain formula.  Fun discovery.  Kitchen cupboard ingredients and rock hard results.

Cover the face in a bajillion tiny hand cut scales? Maybe.  Or, mottled dye colors on wool that somehow melded nicely to compliment the scale texture.  Unexpected, but awesome at last day crunch time.

How to make a tail tip?  Would the fuzzy-er gold cocoons work for that?  Yes.  And used same gold cocoon fluffy bits for the base of horns and flared ruff along the jaw.

Wings?  Wool and silk.  Days of effort and 3 tries at wet-felting with the wing template to obtain the right texture, thickness, size and colors.  Whew!

Eyes:  needle felt?  Or glass?  Online eyes didn’t look quite right, so I bought the glass and painted my own eyes.  More valuable lessons in types of paint that work -or not- on glass.  Used a magnifier and an “eyelash” paintbrush.  I swear I cut off all but 2 paintbrush hairs to achieve a fine line and tiny details for the pupil.   22 attempts until perfection.  It was all worth it, when she gazed sweetly up at me.

Of all the myriad techniques I experimented with and results obtained I will say this: I am most proud of the dragons posture.  I wanted a creature lithe, muscular, and seeming in motion.  I built a wire armature as a skeleton; mindful how a body moves.  Researched many photos of lizards walking.  Built wool “musculature,” convinced it would show through the finished scale cover.  And it did.  I am over-the-moon happy with the results.

“Silk Dragon” can be viewed this weekend at Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival, at Canby Fairgrounds, Oregon.  I hope to show it again next June, at 2018 Black Sheep Gathering.  Until then it will have a place of honor above my work table, overseeing my work, ready to pounce if I slack off.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Edited 9-23-2017 Saturday to add:  The “Silk Dragon” was awarded 3 ribbons today! 1st Place.  Champion.  and Grand Champion.  {{ does a little happy dance }}.    The judges wrote such nice comments and I’ll get that photo when I return for 2nd day of OFFF tomorrow.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Got the photo of Judge’s comment card.  Immensely enjoyed discussing dragon with visitors and festival staff.  Curious, I thought to inquire of a few: “What captures your attention?”  Ex: of 3 responses:

(1) “Cobalt blue with yellow are my favorite colors.”

(2) “I collect dragons.  Those shoulder muscles look strong enough to make the wings fly.”

(3) ~ out on lawn when I paused in tree shade to rummage for my keys before heading home, so he got to examine the dragon up close at table top level ~  “It looks alive with movement; the angle of the head and I like the way that tail whipped around when it’s stride was interrupted – like something caught the dragon’s attention.”  This guy was very analytical.  Made my day.

Edited June 2018 – after Black Sheep Gathering 2018 to add:

The needle felted Dragon was awarded  The People’s Choice award.  This is accomplished by visiting viewers placing a heart sticker on the card by each entry, to vote for their favorite item.    Thank you, thank you.  I really am so happy you enjoyed it.

BSG posted a videoclip of the dragon on it’s rotating turntable – meant to allow viewing all angles.