I Needle-Felt These Artworks To Help Children With Health Issues

The mind can be the darkest place in our lives, especially when everything seems to be working against us. Nothing can be more devastating than ill-fated medical issues, specially for children.

I want to empower environments, whisking away patients from the otherwise sterile vacant space, left only to thoughts both positive and negative, to a place of boundless possibilities confined by no symptom or latest test results. A place doesn’t have to have been but simply near enough in sight that their cognitive reach and will power might be strengthened to endure this turn of traumatic events. They are the architects of their emotion and outlook.

The time spent in the hospital bed should not drain the enthusiasm for the precious gift of life bit reinvigorate them to exit those sliding glass doors and rebound with a new sense of whirling whimsy.

My art has always been a beacon for children. Perhaps it’s my modest drawing ability kids relatable but the connection is real. They want to reach out and touch the soft warmth emanating from the picture but to get lost in it. The correlation between uniquely positive, engaging artwork and patient benefits are widely acknowledged in academic fields.

I use several different types of felt in my projects. But the predominant one is made by Eco-Fi. They create their felt from 100% post consumer recycled materials, mainly wasteful plastic bottles. Their proprietary blend with silver and copper ions, make the fiber resistant to odor and deterioration caused by mold and mildew.

Through my use of rolling felt on its side at different lengths, I create depths not normally seen in traditional painted artwork. It welcomes being felt. What's better than for someone to reach out and touch the soft warmth of felt in such a hard and cold environment. They need an escape and here it is.

My dream is to create and practically donate all of my continuing work to children’s hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

More info: gofundme.com | xandergriffith.com