Much of my work reflects on a woman’s limitless experiences of life: working, aging, and creating protection for themselves and others. A mantle or cloak protects the elements from harm.

After it was painted, “Mantle” was sliced into sections. Some of these were reversed and sewn back together. This reversal creates ambiguity: Is this the inside or the outside, the front side or the back?

With the addition of burlap, yarn, and further alterations, the work became 3-dimensional. I could not have generated this outcome any other way.

What is being undone? An apron, a dress, a woman’s sense of self?

Paint on canvas, add mixed media elements, then cut and tear, and add buttons, thread, and yarn to transform the canvas. It is not a painting, not a collage, and not simply fiber, but rather a fusion of all three.  View it from different angles. Look into the folds, find the shadows, encounter new details.

Experience how a 2-dimensional painting morphs into a 3-dimensional piece.

The first in a series, I attempted to create the illusion of the light and airy movements of fine fabric. The painter’s canvas was transformed, including being painted with acrylic paint, thread, beads, and other materials.  Each piece involves multiple, often time-consuming steps.

This is the second in the Handkerchief series. Conveying light and airy elements of fine fabric with heavy canvas is not easy. I hope I have captured a snapshot of the transitory nature of the folds and flutters associated with the fabric of their namesakes. The painter’s canvas was transformed by the addition of acrylic paint, thread, beads, and other materials.  Each piece involves multiple steps.

Fan:   noun

*  A device that is held in the hand, usually shaped like a segment of a circle, for producing a current of air

*  A fanatic, aficionado, or enthusiastic devotee

Splashes of color painted on canvas, folded, pleated, stitched: maybe add some beads and colorful threads. Attempt to overcome the challenge of conveying motion using static fabric.

 Each piece involves multiple, time-consuming steps. Each Fan took about 10 days to create.

Fan:   noun

*  A device that is held in the hand, usually shaped like a segment of a circle,  for producing a current of air

*  A fanatic, aficionado, or enthusiastic devotee

Challenge: Attempt to overcome the problem of conveying motion using static fabric. Splash color on canvas, fold it, pleat and stitch it: sew on some beads, buttons, colorful threads. Did it work?

Each piece involves multiple, time-consuming steps. This one was created over a period of 10 - 12 days.