Captured at Peak

2025
18” w x 24”h x 1 ½” (felt on canvas frame)
Status: For Sale at Sivertson Gallery, Grand Marais, MN

The right panel in the ‘Captured’ diptych depicts the energetic moments when the aurora reaches its breathtaking crescendo, with energy and color rising together and hanging in motion as time seems to pause. It celebrates the vibrant pulse of the Northern Lights and the release of light as it ascends and shifts. It celebrates the brightest moments when the water mirrors the sky and the world appears to glow from within.

I used unprimed cotton canvas as the felting backing. It’s more economical than manufactured wool felt, but it requires using a sealant on the edges to prevent fraying before framing. It also has a lot of “give”, meaning the final felted fabric can appear warped in places. The remedy is to find the areas with fewer wool fibers and build them up until the entire fabric has an even depth.

Almost every aspect of the piece was created using blended fiber colors. I’ve included process photos below that include the progression of color blends.

The photo inspiration for this piece was taken by my friend, Barbara Platnick, during an aurora event on July 7, 2024, over West Pope, a private lake along the Gunflint Trail.

The companion piece, Captured at Bloom, can be viewed separately for more details, including process photos.