TEXTUALITY
I am compelled to create and work with my hands! As a kinesthetic and empirical type of learner, fibers and textiles being tactile and malleable in nature present me with so many creative possibilities. Hand-dyed silk and wool fibers and fabrics are the basis of my artworks. This choice comes from both tactile and aesthetic considerations.
Much of my creativity flows from the magnificent beauty of nature: The variety of colors and textures in flowers, trees, and creatures are never-ending sources of inspiration. The power, sound, smell, and sight of the sea, the rustling of the forest, the singing of birds, and the beauty of sunrises and sunsets all lay an indelible imprint on my artworks and is reflected in the textures, color palettes and compositions I create. When I see or witness something that I find intriguing in nature, I am compelled to express that experience through fibers and textiles as surface design.
Through felting, I build my concepts into form and dimension, while creating rich textures and patterns of saturated colors. The work of making felt is physically demanding but at the same time magical and sensuous.
Silk has luminosity - it can be sheer and translucent, letting light through. I use the reflective qualities of silk fibers and position them to shimmer and to create highlights. I dye textiles using a variety of methods, most often botanical contact printing where I steam the tannins and natural pigments from fresh leaves onto cloth. I also employ shibori (the Japanese art of resist dyeing and texturing) techniques by folding, pleating, binding and dyeing fabrics to achieve colors, patterns, and textures in my artwork.
I aspire to create lively and interactive artwork in which the interplay of light and shadows, colors and shades, layers and textures enters a dialog with the viewer to create an atmosphere. I strive to let light and air through in my artworks, while movement and reflective qualities intrigue and evoke emotion.
Being a consummate experimenter, my fiber artwork has branched off in several directions as I learn and practice new approaches. My passion is for combining fiber art forms to create something new. My professional design background helps lead me in a cohesive direction but does not dictate my creativity. As I experiment, change directions, and work intuitively, my work is all evolving, always changing — and like me, a work in progress.
