Weedy Sea Dragons, 2011

Machine pieced and hand quilted cotton

Nature is one of my primary sources of inspiration. This series was inspired by an exhibit of Weedy Sea Dragons and Leafy Seadragons I saw at the Scripps Aquarium in San Diego California.  Seadragons look like Seahorses with the addition of exotic appendages  that mimic seaweed foliage and camouflage them in their  environments. Having a whimsical and other worldly appearance, I was immediately enamored by them.  I later found out that children’s author and illustrator, Dr. Seuss, liked them too and used them as a model for a character in one of his stories.  Knowing this assures me that I am in good company on my quest to maintain a childlike sense of wonder in the world and in my art.

Sea Dragon Song, 2012

Machine pieced and hand quilted cotton

This second in a series of weedy seadragon quilts evokes the rhythm of the sea as I experienced it swimming in the Mediterranean.

Hickories, 2013

Machine pieced and hand quilted cotton

Birds and trees around our home are a constant source of inspiration. I frequently see animals eating hickories from the tree in our yard and the crows in particular evoke a sense of mystery and intellect.

Cover Cover, 2017

Cotton fabric, cotton thread, cotton batting

Influenced by the Japanese tradition called Boro, I use only repurposed fabric from my clothing and the clothing and bed covers of my parents. It speaks of that time between sleep and wakefulness when reality is raw and blurred. Past, present and future are intertwined and raw emotion presents itself as love, anger, resentment, repair, mending, regret, hope and sorrow and peace. The labor intensive act of hand quilting in large stitches opens up a space in time for deep reflection apart from the hectic pace of day to day activity.

Tribute to Arbie, 2018

Cotton and linen fabric, cotton thread, cotton batting

The making of this quilt marks the transition in my life from full time art educator/part time artist to full time retired person with plenty of time for my artistic endeavors. The quilt was pieced and partly quilted during the last semester of my teaching career and completed during the first week of my retirement. It reflects my passion for both teaching and art making.  

All of the fabric for the quilt top is repurposed from linen pants that were part of my signature wardrobe as a teacher for the past 34 years of my life and bits and pieces from my art room such as dish towels used to clean up little messes and dry little hands. Wear and tear is evident  in these fabrics signifying the important work of teaching art to thousands of students over my career.

The title is the result of a moment of profound Synchronicity.  On the day I completed the top, I picked up a book by artist and scholar Eli Leon.  In it were images of several quilts by African American quilt artist Arbie Williams. I was amazed at the similarity of her compositions with pants as the central image and mine. It was as if she and I accessed the same archetypal sense of design. I took this coincidence as gentle encouragement that I am on a good path forward in this next journey of my life path.

Grey Matter, 2019

Recycled clothing, cotton batting, cotton thread.

My Mother’s clothing. Close to her body. She is still here but not really here. Her dementia has left her a shell of her former self.  Once and awhile I dream that she is still her former self; that her brain neurons are as healthy as they once were and that her disease is fully cured. When I wake up my sad reality returns.

Moonlight Madness, 2019

Upcycled and indigo dyed fabric, cotton batting, cotton thread

Friendly ratty pets are well behaved and sleep most of the the day.  But what do these nocturnal creatures do at night while the rest of the house is asleep? Create mischief in the sewing room!!!   Wait… am I dreaming?  Hey.. what’s this hole in my favorite fabric and who knocked the scissors onto the floor?