Inspired by the beauty of Alberta’s prairies, foothills, and mountains, A Softer Gaze is an exhibition of vibrant, textural felted landscapes that celebrate the evocative terrain of Western Canada. Each piece is presented in a vintage or custom-made oval frame, locally sourced from antique shops and estate sales—objects with their own quiet histories that complement the warmth and nostalgia of the work.
Felt is an ideal medium for landscape: soft yet strong, able to absorb and reflect light, and capable of an endless range of textures. Through techniques like wet felting, needle felting, twisting, blending, and layering, Deanne Underwood creates richly detailed compositions full of depth and dynamic energy.
The artist’s perspective is shaped by memory, travel, and a deep connection to place. Preferring distant, panoramic views, Deanne Underwood is especially drawn to Alberta’s expansive skies—a recurring feature in each piece. Observing the ever-changing light and atmosphere is a daily ritual and sharing that sense of wonder is central to the work.
A Softer Gaze invites viewers to pause, reflect, and see the landscape through a gentler, more tactile lens.
About the Artist:
Growing up as part of a military family, Deanne moved from Labrador to Manitoba, to Saskatchewan, settling in Edmonton in 2003.
Deanne Undrewood fell in love with art at a young age, engaging with many different mediums. She began teaching herself how to work with wool using wet and needle felting in 2020. What began as a passionate hobby grew into a full-time endeavor. Deanne’s pieces are full of vibrant colour and texture and depict a wide range of Canadian landscape with a special focus on Alberta and Saskatchewan.
