You Received A Soft Friend

Happy Birthday

Hello. I wanted to share a little about this guy. I made the pieces in this series in 2019 living in Salem ny, in my studio, in the last room, on the couch.


These soft fiends or soft guys (named by Erin and I) were built as anxiety totems. They came at a time I was learning to use felting as a meditation practice - a way of managing what I was feeling.

What they are is a stew of ideas - but on my mind was: the gods the bhanwar keeps at savista (simple painted stones with simple faces), classical busts, stuffed animals, toys for adults, having one face forever, muppets, holding something small/fragile and alive, touching, other things I can’t remember.

I did not think of them as any sort of thing when I made them. It can be held or hung or placed somewhere or anything. In the past I have put a nail into the wall and sort of speared it so hangs on the nail. I would occasionally take them down and hold them.

This may cause wear and tear, so I have included a few small bore felting needles. A few pokes will put any thread back in place. It will also change it a little, which will be beautiful. Then it will be a collaboration.

About 50 loving hours goes into each of these pieces. I hope you both feel every one of them.