I started with an art scholarship in the 4th grade, followed later with a degree in Studio Arts, and work as a painter, sculptor, and now felter. I discovered felting after scoring a sheep fleece on a trip to New Zealand. My family and I had watched a sheep shearing and was surprised to see them leave a luscious pile of sheep curls on the stage. When I asked if I could have it they said, "Sure", and looked at me as if I was a bit crazy as fleece is as common as clouds there. The next challenge was getting it though customs. The agent asked, "Is it processed?" (Does shearing count as processing?), and, "is it clean?" (I didn't notice any dirt in it). They were honest answers and he waived me on through with a twinkle in his eye. Little did he know that it would be the start of an entire body of work!