Artist Statement
Observation is at the heart of my work. Glimpses of daily life and ritual become themes interwoven throughout. Nature, however, is my primary muse, more specifically my garden... the stories in my own back yard. I relish being immersed in every stage of the changing seasons, surrounded by color, texture, pattern, and rhythm... all of the juxtaposed sights and sounds that nature has to offer.
Constructed of handwoven tapestry, pieced fabrics, machine stitching and embroidery, my fiber collages are one-of-a-kind works of art, designed and produced entirely in my Kansas City studio. My interest in textiles and fiber is a result of lifelong connections with generations of women in my family who were tailors, knitters, milliners, quilters, rug makers and fine seamstresses. It’s in my genes!
My work is often described as painterly and I actually approach it as if I were a painter, from the use of color to gestural lines… fabric and yarn are my brushstrokes. My fiber collages are abstract narratives that reflect on my own observations, yet allow the viewer to write their own stories.
Over my 45 years in Kansas City I have been fortunate to create a life that is a rich tapestry of art, home, studio, travel, food, and gardening. Creating artwork, while staying grounded in family and community, gives me great joy. May my observations and reflections bring you joy!
