Pelicans On Parade (POP!)

Klamath Falls, Oregon
Benefiting Birds in the Basin
Through the Arts and Community Outreach

POP! is endorsed by the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts

POP! Artist
Fran Coker

(Photo by Kathy Larson)

POP! pelican: "Patchwork Pelican"

POP! sponsor: Sponsorship opportunity still available (email: , or call 541.851.0981)

POP! location: South Portal Building
205 Riverside Drive
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
541-884-5193

Biography: Born in Portland, Oregon, Fran moved to the Klamath Basin with her husband Ben in 1997.  Fran has always been intrigued by fabrics and color, learning to sew at a very young age.  She made most of her clothes for school. Life kept her busy with many other things, but her interest in art, fabric and crafts never diminished.  Everywhere she goes, she is noted for her artistic creativity even though she has never had any formal art training.

In 1989, Fran discovered quilting and that blossomed into a passion.  She is a former member of  the Northwest Quilters Guild and American Quilt Society.  She has taken classes from various reknowned quilters including Roberta Horton, but for the most part, considers herself to be self-taught.

"I can look at many things around me in nature and "see" numerous quilt pattern opportunities."  According to Fran, "Once I get into my artistic design mode, it is amazing how energetic and creative I feel."  The only problem has been available time for her to actually sew the quilts she loves creating.  Fran is now at a point in her life to begin the exciting opportunity to become a Fabric Artist.

Fran Coker working on "Patchwork Pelican" at Kate's Quilted Rooster (Photo by Kathy Larson)

Method used for her POP! pelican: A decoupaged fabric-covered flying pelican, using authentic quilt patterns.

Specific patterns include:  "Birds in the Air" (Upper Front Wing), "Lady of the Lake" (Lower Front Wing), "Oregon Trail" (Body),  "Nine Patch" (Beak and Legs), "Log Cabin" (Back Lower Wing), and "Rail Fence" (Back Upper Wing).

Each piece of fabric was hand-cut, and individually applied, representing nearly 80 hours of detailed application from her originally designed computer artwork of the pelican model.  

Awards and shows: Commissioned to create a custom quilt for the 1996 Women in Communications International Conference, held in Portland, Oregon.

"Patchwork Pelican" - design close-up by Fran Coker (Photo by Kathy Larson)

Artwork on display:
Only in private ownership at this time.

(Photo by Kathy Larson)

Contact:
Fran Coker
email:
Phone: 541-281-5994