Emily A Thompson / Ireland

Emily Thompson is a talented needle felting artist and art therapist. Her aim is to create unique works of art, connecting people with the beauty of the natural world around them. Her focus is on using locally sourced Irish wool, which she washes, dyes and cards herself. With meticulous precision, Emily layers the dyed wool to create charming pieces showcasing the beauty of the Irish landscape.

Originally Emily studied to be a painter and has used her knowledge and skills to expand from traditional painting methods into to a world of woolly creation. Emily has exhibited her work across her adopted home of Ireland and in her homeland of the USA. Emily has won the Sustainable Art Award for her use of wool as an art medium and many of her exhibited works include stunning landscapes and even incredibly lifelike pet portraits.

Using special tools, Emily introduces her students to a world of colour, texture and of course, Irish wool. She describes her dyed wool as the palette and felting needles as the paintbrushes. Emily is an active member of several crafting guilds and organisations that believe in maintaining and sharing the knowledge of Ireland’s heritage crafts and a love of Irish Wool.

At the core of her practice, is a deep connection to nature, inspired by Emily’s hikes, cycles and sea swims across the Emerald Isle.

Discover more about Emily here.