Pam Carnochan, the owner of Morgan House Wool Works Studio was hanging out in her living room looking at the mounds of wool she had dyed over the years as a spinner and hat maker.
A friend had taught her needle-felting, and she'd also been a watercolour painter for a number of years.
"I put the two together by accident one night," she explained to BayToday at the recent Royal Winter Fair, "and the rest is history. It was like there was a collision of energy that just worked...karma."
With wool from her sheep, she creates unique landscapes using felting techniques. She shears the sheep, dyes the wool and then creates artwork known as "Watercolour with Wool" inspired by the natural beauty that surrounds her in Muskoka.
Carnochan has been doing this for eight years and the most common reactions she says is, "What the heck is this."
Her work is very appealing, she says, as humans are very tactile creatures, and it's easy on the eyes.
"It's soft, it draws people in because it's three dimensional. It's really quite soothing to people.
It's Carnochan's fourth year at the Northern Ontario Pavilion, in the middle of the giant Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and she's met success.
"It's fantastic. FedNor is an amazing organization to work with and the support is fabulous. As a result of them, I've had lots of doors opening because of this booth.
"I've got some commissions and opportunities. I'm more professional and so I can get into other trade shows. I have some backing and more experience."
Carnochan has been showing her work in several shows and galleries in the Huntsville and Maynooth areas. Raised in Huron County, she has also been teaching her craft in Algonquin Park, area schools, the McMichael Art Gallery in Kleinburg, and in her barn studio over the past nine years. She also offers workshops for groups of five or more.
"It is fun for all ages and is also excellent art therapy in the truest form, where everyone can achieve a work of art in only 1 ½ hours," according to her website.
Tel: 705-789-1727 or 705-380-2566 [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/TheMorganHouse/
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show.
FedNor spent $467,800 this year to support the Northern Ontario Agri-food Pavilion, which is designed to highlight exhibitors from across the region.
