This artwork is called “Taking Flight.” It symbolizes that moment of inspiration and determination that launches you into a better future.

The bird is multi-media but mostly fiber. The body is wet felting over a wire armature with felt feathers added. The beak and legs are also covered with fabric. The wings and tail are actual feathers.

Susan Swarthout is a Fiber and Multi-Media artist. She says, “During these difficult times, I find that exercising my creativity allows me to feel more hopeful about the future and to tangibly express that hope.”

Swarthout works in a variety of fiber media including knitting, crocheting, sewing, weaving, and needle felting.   Her teaching experience with young people and adults includes ProjectArt, Propel Schools, the Society for Contemporary Craft, the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination, Sweetwater Center for the Arts, the Center for Creative ReUse, and the Cultural Trust of Pittsburgh. President of the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh from 2014-16. Ms. Swarthout is now the Outreach Chair for the Guild.

Her work can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fiberfanaticfandango