Raised in Vermont, Farrell studied at the Massachusetts College of Art before earning her BFA at Northern Vermont University. She first fell in love with metal while working as a roofer, learning to install standing seam metal roofing by hand with antique tools.

In the studio…

handmade paper

The paper making process begins with abaca pulp that has been pre-beaten in a Hollander mixer for 2-4 hours. Retention aid and copper pigment is then beaten into the pulp and a slurry is prepared in the paper making vat with additional water. Sheets are pulled from the vat using a mould and deckle and couched onto pellon sheets. Newly formed sheets are used both wet and dry in a variety of 3D papermaking techniques.

hand forged steel

Round and square bar steel of various sizes are used in Farrell’s sculptures, light fixtures and functional art. The steel is cut to size, ground and then heated in her gas forge. The red hot metal is then able to be bent, textured and forged by hammer using a 100 lb Fisher anvil from 1896. Finished pieces are drilled and sealed with beeswax.

Education

2000-2003 | Massachusetts College of Art


Sculpture and small metals

2003 | Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

Semester abroad in the sculpture department

2015 | Northern Vermont University (formerly Johnson State College)

Bachelor of Fine Arts