“Lakeshore Guardians”
Title refers to the weathered trees at pasture’s end – above the bank that drops to water’s edge of Lake Ontario, upstate New York. It was inspired by childhood memories of warm Summer days, walking through the pasture to swim in the lake.
Red barn at top left is a nostalgic placeholder for the brown barn on our family’s seventeen acre farm, sold long ago. (Barn image was cut from fabric by Pennsylvania artist, Diane Phalen.) For me, this stretch of farmland and lake was HEAVEN! It continues to be where I return in my mind to “settle” and hear again: waves breaking on the shoreline; water percolating through the cobblestones; the occasional moo of a cow, calling its calf or impatient for milking.
Quilted Fabric Scene: Original size, c. 29 inches square
M.J.F. 2020
“UNICORN RAINBOW”
A delayed collaboration with my Step Granddaughter, Rhiannon Long ago, the small central textile was made by Rhiannon Ylvisaker in grammar school. We began its fabric “framing,” then; hand stitching it to a square of blue – then green, with a little puffy batting in between – along with hand quilting, to make the baby unicorn standout. Under a smiling sun, her unicorn – which may be referred to as a “sparkle” or “shimmer,” chews on sweet hay.
Now, I cannot recall “why” we didn’t finish. The project got stowed for over two decades – along with other stallled projects. Occasionally, I would uncover it and feel disappointment over its neglect.
The stimulus to resume? Mistaken identity. Briefly, I forgot who made it; thinking it had been Rhiannon’s sister, Talya, who was soon to marry. Thus – in my mind, it became the perfect “something old” for the bride! However – as I worked on it, the signature in a child’s hand – on the textile’s bottom left, unsettled me. Slowly, I suspected it looked more like “NAN” (Rhiannon’s nickname) than “Talya.” To be sure, I consulted their mother Karyn, who affirmed it to be Rhiannon’s art. The outcome of my mixup? Its belated finish.
I arched a “rainbow” over her scene. And, to ever shine above, I sewed a button moon and opalescent bead stars. “Leaves” in its foreground are my “signature” in our collaboration. Perhaps Rhiannon – now Simpson, will hang “Unicorn & Rainbow” where her own small daughter, Athena, can see her contented brown-baby-unicorn, savoring sweet hay.
MJF, August 2019
“Spring Thaw”
On this chilly, watery, snow-melty day: Tie a warm scarf at your neck. Pull on your jacket and step into boots. Follow the cowpath to
the stone wall at the end of the pasture. Where – long ago, daffodils bulbs were tucked in its shadow; their buds now swelling. Let spring’s sweet air make you giddy with optimism! In the quiet pasture, puddles become art; reflecting pastel skies with imploring branches.
M.J.F. 2020
“Alpen Glow”
Inspired by a memory: I was driving east on Ross Island Bridge of Portland, Oregon, to visit family – In rush hour. At sunset. Directly in front of me and towering above, Mt. Hood stood aglow. So glorious, I could scarcely breathe. My attention being arrested by majesty, I feared I might crash. . . .It was as though I stopped. And, traffic moved around me.
The moment lives as a dream, in my mind. There, the mountain’s splendor – in day’s last light, ever glows; a rendering attempt eventually becoming imperative! I regret, my art cannot truly represent what I saw. But, I hope it can reveal something of what I felt.
M.J.F. 2018
“THROUGH WOOD & FIELD”
Through wood and field, gravity pulls the stream. Rocks and roots bring turbulence; eliciting water’s voice. Small bottom stones invite earth debris to settle. A wriggling fish becomes visible to the still and silent heron. A stem releases a colored leaf to sweep stream-ward, in an ever-diminishing-arc. Touching, its scarlet edge begins to sink. On a bank – just out of view, a doe lowers her head to slack her thirst. Close by, a snake slides into its burrow as the day cools. The careful observer may notice: Already! the sky holds the glint of star shine.
M.J.F. 2017
“Hostas”
“Echinacea”
“Narcissus Confection” -Handmade Pillow
“Intimate Reveal”
“Intimate Reveal 3” >
Fresh tulips hold fast and keep secrets.
Fading petals splay and bare inner splendor.
-MJF, Spring 2019
< “Intimate Reveal 2”
