Artist Statement

The simplicity of Asian textiles influences my choice of form for clothing and fiber wall art.  I use various dyeing techniques such as ikat and shibori to color the fabric or yarn and finish the surface with stenciling, stamping and stitching.  I love fabric – pattern and color – particularly hand dyed fabric.   Images of skies, ocean, and plant life are predominate in my work.

When I design with collage, I usually do not have a preconceived idea of the finished piece.  One piece of fabric can inspire me andI then choose color related fabrics, intuitively adding and building on the inspiration fabric.  The ideas flow and keep me interested until the work feels complete.

Presently, I am exploring painting with acrylic on canvas adding texture and color with fabrics and other materials.

Personal History

Originally I am from Billings, Montana.  I received a BA degree in Art Education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado, and taught art in the Aurora Public Schools in Colorado.  I have worked as a geologic draftsperson for an oil and gas exploration company in Denver, Colorado, and owned Thread and Treadle, a working studio and fiber art gallery in Littleton, Colorado.  Presently I work from my home and from my studio at the Blue Door Artists in downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida.  I have taken courses and workshops in the arts field and am currently a member of local and national handweaving guilds and local art and fiber art associations.

Awards

Island Art Association, Fernandina Beach, Florida   Nouveau Art Exhibits:

Honorable Mention
Best of Show 
Third Place
Best of Show
Honorable Mention

Szulinski Award for excellence in craft 2003

Fiber Celebration, Fort Collins, Colorado

Schacht Shuttle Award, 1991,1993
Harrisville Design Award, 1992