Wildfire Survivors

2024
8″ x 8″ (felt)
12” x 12” x 0.75” (felt on canvas)
Status: SOLD

Wool needle felting measuring 8″ x 8″ felted onto a 12” x 12” x 0.75” painted cotton canvas frame for a clean, seamless look. Many fine blended fiber layers and varying shades of blue, black, and white went into creating the sky, sun glow, and trees.

The photo inspiration behind this piece, titled ‘Wildfire Survivors’, was captured on a cool spring afternoon in a low-lying bog near the end of the Gunflint Trail in Northeastern Minnesota. The trees in this bog survived the 2007 Ham Lake wildfire, likely because of the bog’s natural humidity which created a moisture “bubble” in the air, causing the fire to move around it. This group of large white pines was so striking and eerie against the burned area and the new growth, especially with the white glow of the afternoon sun shining from behind.

The backside of the piece offers an interesting view of the colored fibers as they were pushed through the canvas and I like to leave the canvas back exposed for this reason. It also allows the wool fibers to breathe and minimizes any moisture buildup.

Wire hanging hardware is attached. An informational card and a copy of the original reference photo will be tucked into the back of the piece in a cellophane sleeve.