Dallas feltmaker and fiber artist Rhonda Douglass combines her love of color, pattern and texture with the versatility of wool and luxury fibers to create her contemporary hand-rolled felts. Rhonda studied graphic design at the University of Kansas and has a diverse background in many art mediums that include drawing, painting, enameling on metal, silk screening, stained glass, and glass fusing. She was introduced to fiber at the age of ten when she was taught to knit. In 2004, while picking up the knitting needles once again, the research of wool led her to the ancient art of feltmaking. Intrigued by the tactile appeal of wool and the "magic" created when the fibers entangle, taking on a life of their own, she found her passion. Initially a self-taught feltmaker, Rhonda continues to travel and study with national and international feltmakers to learn new techniques in this ancient art. Her current work of felt collage incorporates silk and poly-blend fabrics, threads and yarns with wool to create interesting color and texture. Rhonda strives to create unique mountings using various materials such as rubber, metals and wood to enhance her felt. Her wall pieces have been selected and displayed at the "Focus on Fiber" show at the Eisemann Center, Richardson, TX, the "Scratching the Surface" fiber show at the Southwest School of Arts and Crafts, San Antonio, TX and the Texas Federation of Fiber Artists show at the Plano Art Center, Plano, TX. Rhonda has served as president of the Dallas Area Fiber Artists and the Dallas state representative of the Texas Federation of Fiber Artists. While wall hangings and home decor is the focus of her feltmaking, she also produces fashion accessories and wearables. Loving the endless color and design possibilities of feltmaking, Rhonda enjoys the opportunity to work closely with clients and designers to produce art pieces with their special needs in mind.
