I am a North Carolina fiber artist who uses layering of textiles and embellishments to convey impressions of nature. My fiber work combines my passions for nature, texture, color and women's work as art. I work with fabric because I love it: the look of it, the feel of it, and its historical meanings of comfort and security. I strive for lively compositions using quilting for bas relief and additional dimension from hand stitching. Recent work incorporates hand embroidery for enrichment and details.
My current work, a series exploring the architecture of Southeast tree seeds in a whole-cloth quilt format, began mid-2008 and focuses on tree seeds and fruits, as metaphors for life’s riches. Working directly from collected seed specimens, my designs are based on research and sketches. What differentiates one tree species' seeds from another? Using the uniqueness of tree seeds as metaphor for all of life, I strive to illustrate that each individual is unique and wonderful by focusing with admiration and care on a part of the tree that is often overlooked.
The historical forms of botanical watercolors, quilting, and stenciling inform my work. Realistic images are scaled up to 550% larger than life specimens. The scale and lush renditions are reminiscent of Georgia O’Keeffe and Karl Blossfelt. The work of high-craft artists like Alice Ballard Munn, Michael Sherrill, Paul K. Stankard and William Morris inspires me. Techniques of textile artists like Ruth McDowell, Sesuko Segawa, Ilsa Aviks and Sherilyn Martin are also inspirations.
