Nearing Conjunction

2023
8″ x 8″ (felted area)
12″ x 12″ x 0.75″ (canvas frame)

Exhibit: Red Pine Realty Artist of the Month, Grand Marais, MN
Dates: August 2026

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.

The photo inspiration behind Nearing Conjunction was captured along the Gunflint Trail near the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness just before 8 pm on February 24, 2023, 5 days before the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus.

Stepping out of the ice house after ice fishing only to see the alignment of the Moon, Jupiter, and Venus against the dimly lit horizon, with the deep shades of blue sky, a bright Moon halo, and equally bright planets against wisps of clouds, was stunning.

The backside of the piece offers an interesting view of the colored fibers as they were pushed through the canvas. Leaving the back of the piece exposed allows the wool fibers to breathe and minimizes moisture buildup.

Wire hanging hardware is attached. Information about the piece, care instructions for fiber art, and a copy of the original reference photo are tucked into the back in a custom folio.