about
Some Insight
I was born in Idaho but since my father was a bit of a wanderer, I have lived in Arizona, California, Oregon and Idaho. I grew up in the West, am in love with the Northwest and plan to stay here if I’m able. I traveled to Mexico quite a bit growing up and lived there with my kids and husband for a year. I love it and miss it dearly so I have to visit as often as I am able.
My artwork centers around costumes, clothing and fiber arts. Tufting is the main medium utilized in my artwork, but a combination of other fiber art methods are implemented as well such as machine sewing, screen printing, serging, embroidery, applique and/or dyeing. I prefer to vary the fiber contents and weights of yarn I use as I feel it brings more depth and interest to my work. I also utilize multiple tufting guns to achieve varying depths and textures. I prefer to combine new and found materials not only for the environmental impact but for the positive transformations which can come about in a piece.
The natural beauty of abstract forms and colors found in nature serve as inspiration for my work–those varying shapes, textures and colors found therein. This nature-based inspiration is affected and compounded by complications of the modern world, such as mental health, anxiety, sickness, death, polarization, aging, cynicism, fear, self-consciousness, conflict and war–which are juxtaposed against seemingly peaceful settings. Impressions of natural, unspoilt spaces are achieved through the layering of yarn of varying colors, widths and textures.
My fiber artwork has been exhibited nationally and internationally–including the Columbia Center for the Arts, Gallery 110 in Seattle, TuftCon Art Exhibition in Philadelphia and the 13th International Textile Art Biennial “Scythia'' in Ivano-Frankivs’k, Ukraine. Aside from fiber arts, I also enjoy making collages. I’m able to create at home in a lovely room with lots of windows.