Mask for the Movies: My Wolf/Dog in "Surrender To It"
- valerianfibres
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Back in 2023, I received a commission that felt excitingly different from my usual work: to create a needle-felted husky dog mask for the independent film Surrender To It. I was of course thrilled with the commission, but I really had no idea quite how special this project would become.
Bringing a Real Dog to Life in Felt
Unlike many of my masks, which wander the borderlands of folklore and imagination, this piece had to capture a real dog, that played the part of "Wolf" in the film. The team sent me a lovely collection of photographs of their chosen husky, full of personality, bright eyes, and that unmistakable wolfish charm.
Interpreting a real animal through felt is a challenge I relish:
• the careful layering of colour to mimic fur markings
• shaping the muzzle and cheeks to convey expression
• finding the “look” that makes the dog recognisable, not just generically canine
Slowly, as the fibres blended and built up, the dog in the photographs began to emerge from the wool—alert, lively, and ready for its close-up.
From Studio Table to Film Premiere
When I sent the finished mask to the production team, I felt the usual mixture of excitement and nervousness that comes with any commission—especially as this one was destined for the screen.
This year, Surrender To It had its premiere, and seeing the mask appear in promotional images and on the silver screen was a truly unforgettable moment. There’s something surreal about watching a creature you’ve created step out into the world in such a public way, shining under the spotlights.
For someone who often works quietly, immersed in wool and folklore, it was a proud and joyful milestone.
Streaming in 2026
For those who haven’t had a chance to see the film yet: Surrender To It is set to begin streaming in 2026, opening it up to a wider audience.
I’m very much looking forward to watching it when it reaches the streaming platforms—and spotting that familiar husky once again.
I often say that masks have lives of their own once they leave my hands, and this project is a perfect example. From a real dog, to photographs, to my felting table, and finally to a film and a red carpet—this husky has had a journey any storybook creature would envy.
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