Charlie Lewin Felt at Sea - Open Studios

Intriguing & offbeat hand-felted jugs, vases & images in wool, reclaimed fabrics, found plastic waste with fine machine embroidery & appliqué.

In the past 18 months I have found myself drawn more and more towards working in 3 dimensions. For the most part I’m still using wool to felt with and I am really enjoying experimenting with shape and form. Gleaning from my mothers pots a joy of structure, proportion and balance but without the clay and firing! 3D wet felting has it’s own complications – not least the shrinkage necessary to create something substantial enough to stand up – let alone hold water – and yes these pots can hold water – for a while anyway!!

Social and environmental issues continue to direct the themes in my work, and I’ve been exploring the use of lettering, Celtic knot-work and ancient imagery with which to decorate these pots with my ideas and concerns, I also enjoy the challenge of sewing in 3 dimensions. All of my images are first tested in 2 dimensions and so these are also available as textile ‘drawings’, brooches and hangings.

I have begun to explore using other materials in my work – plastic waste found on the sea shore, old torn clothing, waste packaging… it’s certainly not as pleasant as working with fabric, but interesting to investigate!
Why not come and see what you think?

My studio is set at the top of our garden and my husband’s – artist Paul Lewin – is at the bottom. He has just finished rebuilding his studio; set to architect designs, this thrilling new studio gives Paul light and space to fully create his incredible cliff and sea scapes of Cornwall and his studio is also open this week.

Our 2 studios are set in beautiful surroundings close to some of the best beaches in Cornwall, the Minack Theatre and Porthcurno Museum are close by.