Serene Superior Morning

2024
9″ x 6″ (felt on canvas)
9 ½” x 6 ½” x 1 ⅛” (framed)
Status: Private Commission

I created this needle felting for an art swap with Scott Krohn, a childhood friend who is an amazing artist specializing in colored pencil, scratchboard, and charcoal. Scott selected a few photos of varying sunrises from his favorite spot along the North Shore of Lake Superior near Grand Marais, MN, for the felting inspiration.

I chose to combine different elements from each photo into the final piece. I used color blending to create the deep blue at the top of the sky that fades into lighter hues, various shades of yellow and cream wool and silk fibers for the glow of the sun as it crests above the horizon casting a line of deep mauves and oranges with pink highlights in the clouds, layering in light grey, blue, and purple wool and curly wool locks for the ice and snow-covered shoreline. and the final touches in the treeline and reflections off the water’s calm surface.

I can imagine sitting on that shoreline and witnessing the awakening of a new day and feeling a deep sense of serenity, and I hope this piece will remind him of many happy memories and moments in that special place.