Page 117 - CA 2019 Final(3)

Folk artist Cathy Shamel of
Grand Lake Stream holding
one of her pieces of fabric
art. Photo by Arlene Benham.

Flk artit makes felted scenes inspired by nature

Feature by A lene Benham, phot s by A lene Benham and Bill & Cathy Shamel
“I’ve always been creative, especially with sewing,” said Grand Lake Stream folk artist Cathy Shamel. It’s an understatement –
indeed, she’s created a variety of art throughout her life, and is also a co-founder of the Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival.
Her interest in folk art began while she lived in Manhattan. Although she didn’t know anything about the tradition then, she en-
joyed the Museum of American Folk Art: “That was where I learned what folk art is.” She defines it as “an untrained person who
finds something useful and makes something out of it.”
Cathy began painting cats in 1988, then started making canvas cat dolls, which she painted and made clothes for. Her husband Bill
stuffed them – “He was the best stuffer,” she said. With the business name of “Jellicle Cats,” she traveled to shows all over the country.
Then, wanting to do something different, she began making fabric art of cats and discovered she loved wool. Now she creates framed
applique scenes from wool she dyes herself featuring quotes about nature, as well as pillows, both regular and balsam-filled. Her pieces
combine quilting and needle-felted embellishments with applique techniques. The business is now called “Cathy Shamel, Piecemaker” –
“although I am the other kind as well,” she smiled.

Artist Cathy Shamel’s early work included canvas cat
dolls and bright pincushions shown here; a couple of her
whimsical rooster pillows, part of her current collection.

Photos on this page are by Arlene Benham. continued on the next page
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