Hello, Saylizard readers!
When you look at art, what do you usually notice first?
In the past, I used to focus on colors, shapes, and the story behind the artwork. But these days, I find myself paying more attention to things like the artist’s real brushstrokes and the actual surface of the canvas—things that show the artist’s hand and presence.
This week’s featured Canadian local artist, Alina Sahakyan, creates exactly the kind of art that speaks to that feeling. She brings nature to life through wool, and her work makes you slow down and really feel the soft, rich textures that we often miss in our fast, screen-based lives.
Wool Art: A Soft but Powerful Form of Expression
Before we explore Alina’s world, let’s take a moment to talk about wool art, especially the needle felting technique she uses. This may be new to many people, but it’s both beautiful and meaningful.
Wool is one of the oldest materials used by people. For thousands of years, it’s been used to make clothes and blankets. But around the middle of the 20th century, artists started using it in new and creative ways, and it slowly became part of the modern art world, just like photography and sculpture.
Needle felting is a process where the artist uses special needles to poke and shape wool, turning loose fibers into pictures or objects. It’s kind of like painting or sculpting with wool.
The result is artwork that looks a bit like a painting but also feels like something you could reach out and touch. It’s soft, layered, and completely handmade—a truly unique kind of art.
Nature, Texture, and Emotion in Every Frame
The main theme in Alina’s work is the beauty of nature.
In ‘Pomegranate’, you can feel the richness of color. In ‘A Chance Meeting’, the birds feel full of warmth and life. In Wreath of Sunshine, you can almost feel the sunlight through her soft wool textures.
Her art doesn’t just show nature—it makes nature feel alive. Through her choice of wool, she brings out a calm, gentle energy that reminds us of quiet walks in the woods or the peaceful feeling of morning light.
We’re used to smooth and shiny materials like plastic or glass, but Alina’s art is different. Wool gives her work a soft and cozy feel that’s both comforting and very human. The tiny bumps and details made during the felting process also give the pieces a real presence—something that’s hard to feel when looking at art on a screen. You almost want to reach out and touch it. That’s the special connection her work creates.
Even though her art may look like paintings, it feels very different from traditional flat paintings. In pieces like ‘Reaching Irises’ or ‘Chrysanthemums’, the soft blending of colors and the careful shapes of flower petals feel like brushstrokes from oil or watercolor.
At the same time, the thickness and texture of the wool make the artwork feel deeper and more three-dimensional—something between a painting and a sculpture.
Alina’s art shows that fiber art isn’t just fabric. It’s a full-body experience. You see it, you imagine touching it, and you feel something inside. Her work is a great example of how one material can create both visual and emotional depth.
Inspiration, Community, and New Possibilities
When Alina feels stuck creatively, she often switches to other media like oil painting or ink drawing. She also looks through the many photos she’s taken over the years. This helps her feel inspired again. For her, the best part of being an artist is simply making art itself—exploring ideas, trying new materials, and watching her vision come to life.
Alina connects with other artists mostly online. She shares her work through social media and creative platforms, which helps her stay in touch with the wider art community and continue learning from others.
But like many artists, Alina also faces a big challenge: finding a balance between her creative vision and making a living.
She currently teaches art and sells her pieces to support herself while continuing to grow as an artist.
More than anything, she hopes her work encourages people to slow down and notice the small, quiet beauty of nature—to feel more connected and mindful. She wants her art to inspire wonder, stir feelings, and bring peace in a fast-moving world.
She also hopes to expand her work into new areas. Alina believes her wool-based art could fit beautifully into fashion, home décor, or accessory design. The soft texture, warm feeling, and unique shapes of her work could be turned into creative designs for textiles or decorative pieces. She’s excited about the new possibilities where art and everyday life can come together.
Through her work, you can see how wool, one of nature’s oldest gifts, becomes something full of life, meaning, and beauty. Her pieces remind us to slow down, reconnect with the natural world, and enjoy the textures of life again.
Connect with the Artist:
📸 Instagram: @alina.yan_art
📩 Email: alinasaakyan@gmail.com
✨ This article is part of Saylizard Design Studio’s ongoing project to promote and support local and emerging artists. We specialize in artist branding, online exhibitions, and creative marketing with local business that brings your art to the world.
👉 Contact at saylizard.com or follow us on Instagram @say.juna and @artistry_community