about wooltide

I am a self taught mixed media artist, based in Anstruther, Scotland, working under the name of wooltide. I use paper-mache and clay to create handmade characters which are colourful, lighthearted and aim to delight. My figures celebrate movement and personality. Fun is very important to me.

 

Until very recently my work was handmade from recycled textiles. I made textile animal heads called hookheads, puffins in hats and seagull doorstops to name a few. A particular winner was my dog commissions where I made people's dogs as hookheads to hang the dog's lead on. These were all made from preloved faux fur coats and locally sourced wood and I managed to make nearly 1000 of them over the years. The feedback from my customers was wonderful and I have had many loyal customers who have kept coming back for more of these personalised creations for which I am extremely grateful.

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However as a creative person I felt the need to try something new and I have now found my latest obsession in papermache and clay.

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I use paper-mache to create figures which celebrate movement and individuality. (I was a physiotherapist/bioengineer in a past life and still love doing movement analysis!) Each character has their unique personality and is modelled on people real and imagined. Colour and joyful postures are important to me. Relevant words on the surfaces of the figures are also often used and can make for very personalised commissioned pieces.

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I have recently begun working with clay to make little figures full of character and positivity - I named them, of course, 'Positeenies'. They are a happy and joyful addition to the wooltide gang.

I hope you will join me on my future journey with paper and clay whether you be a newbie here or whether you know me already from my recycled textile silliness. I am sure the silliness and joy in colour and fun will continue.

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Jen x