Amanda J Charnley
Earth & Fiber Artworks
Wall Weavings – Landscapes of Fiber and Spirit Each wall weaving I create is a reflection of both the land I live on and the journey I’ve taken—handmade tapestries that speak through texture, color, and movement. Using natural, luxurious fibers like yak, bison, camel, and handspun art yarns made with a drop spindle, I craft abstract landscapes that bring the essence of wild places into your home. Rooted in the Bauhaus philosophy of art meeting function, my weavings are more than décor—they are grounding forces. Every piece is thoughtfully composed using wet felting and needle felting techniques, capturing the emotion of the moment and the terrain of my rural mountain life. Whether evoking the soft light of dawn across a ridgeline or the storm-swept drama of high plains skies, these pieces create space for reflection and connection. No two weavings are alike. They are meditative, tactile experiences—inviting you to slow down, feel deeply, and bring a sense of nature’s soul into your interior world.
A New Thread: From Global Photography to Grounded Fiber Art
From the adrenaline-soaked corners of boxing rings to the quiet rhythm of mountain life, my creative journey has been anything but ordinary. I began my career as a fine art photographer, with work exhibited in galleries and international shows across Dubai, London, and Venice, capturing the world through a deeply emotional and observational lens. But it was behind the ropes, as a ringside photographer and corner coach with Top Rank Boxing, where I honed my instinct for timing, intensity, and human storytelling — traveling coast to coast with some of the biggest names in the sport.
After 2020, my path took a profound turn. I left the roar of the crowd behind and rooted myself in the quiet strength of the southern Colorado mountains, where I now live part-time on a working ranch and split my time between the homestead and Aspen. There, surrounded by wild land and animals, I returned to tactile art — using my hands and natural materials to tell stories once told through a lens. Today, I create fiber art, hand-spun yarn, and nature-inspired weavings, drawing from a life lived with intensity, reflection, and a deep love for the land.
My work is about contrast and connection — the raw and refined, the wild and the intentional, the journey and the stillness. Through every piece, I honor the chapters behind me and the ones still unfolding.
The Art of Wet Felting — Texture, Movement, Soul Each piece I create through wet felting begins with raw, natural fiber—camel, yak, bison, alpaca—sourced from small farms or spun by hand on my homestead. The process is ancient, tactile, and deeply meditative: hot water, soap, pressure, and time coax the fibers to bond and take form. What emerges is something rich with movement and memory—abstract landscapes and textural tapestries that evoke place, emotion, and a connection to the land. This is slow art. Felted by hand, shaped by instinct, and inspired by the wild stillness of my mountain life. Whether you're seeking a custom commission or looking to bring warmth and soul into your space, each piece invites touch, curiosity, and a deeper connection to nature and craft.
Needle Felting — Sculpting Emotion, One Fiber at a Time Needle felting is where detail meets storytelling. Using just a barbed needle and layers of hand-dyed, hand-spun wool, I shape and sculpt each piece with intention and heart. From textured landscapes to organic forms, every poke of the needle adds depth, contour, and soul. This is tactile art with patience at its core. My process is rooted in quiet observation—of the natural world, of memory, of emotion—and transforms soft fiber into something permanent, powerful, and personal. My pieces often blend with my wet-felted backgrounds or stand alone as dimensional works, bridging fine art with raw earthbound texture. Needle felting invites you to slow down, lean in, and feel. If you’re looking for fiber art that speaks to both the senses and the spirit, you’re in the right place.
Art Yarn — Spun by Hand, Rooted in Story Every strand of my art yarn begins with a drop spindle and a sense of wonder. Using natural, often locally sourced luxury fibers—like alpaca, camel, yak, or bison—I spin each yarn slowly, intentionally, and entirely by hand. This ancient technique connects me to the land, to tradition, and to the rhythms of a simpler time. My art yarns are full of texture, color, and soul. No two skeins are alike. They twist in unexpected ways, carry flecks of plant matter, and speak of the mountains where they were born. These yarns become part of my weavings, felting projects, or are offered to other makers who appreciate the beauty in the imperfect and the wild. Spinning on a drop spindle isn’t just a process—it’s a ritual. Each piece of art yarn I create tells a story: of place, of touch, of movement. For collectors and creators who value authenticity, slow craft, and fiber with a heartbeat, this is for you.
Amanda, a skilled custom artist, has garnered global recognition through numerous features in print and online publications around the world.