Coming OUT of ICE ‒ original wool needle felting by Kris Kieper, framed 16x16"

This piece began with a photograph of my husband pulling a sled of gear after a day of ice fishing in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Wilderness. We often stay on the ice until dusk, when the winter sky transforms into layers of pink, purple, and gold. Originally, he was part of this composition. As the piece evolved, I covered him—not because he didn't matter, but because the lake felt more open without a figure telling viewers how to experience the scene. He jokes that I removed him. The truth is, he's still there, hidden beneath the fibers. I love the symbolism of that unseen presence. Over time, the hidden figure has taken on a broader meaning for me. It has become a reflection on the people whose lives are forever altered or lost to ICE in Minnesota and across the country—people who are seen briefly, if at all, yet whose absence carries lasting weight. That's why I renamed the piece Coming OUT of ICE. Many fine blended fiber layers and varying shades of pink, purple, yellow, orange, blue, white, and gray went into creating the sky, clouds, shoreline, and ice. The artwork is created by needle felting wool onto felt and mounted on a hand-painted 16" × 16" canvas, giving the finished piece a clean, seamless presentation. 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. _________________________ Take your artwork home today or contact Kris at 218-519-0464 to arrange shipping. Shipping charges apply.