I often work in series to explore subjects that interest me.
My earliest tapestries expressed my fascination with the human face. After several years of exploring the face, I expanded my weaving to include the full figure. This decision propelled me to weave larger than life portraits as you will see in Amandaconda and Pas de Deux for example. In these works not only the size of the portrait is enlarged but the sett of the warp as well, almost pixilating my subject with each bead of the weft as it covers the warp. These portraits are literally, poetically, and metaphysically LARGER than LIFE to heighten the emotion and drama. I also love weaving small, intimate figures as seen in many of my works.
Umbra-Penumbra II
A play of light on the skin, pushing color and form. 19 x 16 cotton, wool, synthetic, tencel 2022
Madeline
Beginning with a backstage photo, I reworked the image, pushing the colors and cropping closely. Madeleine exemplifies the joy and energy of a dancer. 34 x 15.25 inches, wool & cotton 2018 Artist Collection
Amandaconda
The title of this tapestry, is taken from the stage name of the burlesque dancer portrayed. This young woman is bold, and proud of her body and her performance. The work speaks to the essence of neo-burlesque. 39 x 17.5 inches, wool & cotton, 2018 Artist Collection
Apple & Eve
In this tapestry I borrowed an image from another design and gave it new meaning. 9.75 x 4.75 cotton, 2022
Orange Torso
This is the first tapestry where I dyed all the yarns. It was also a break from my usual faces att the time. 20 in x 19 in, cotton, wool, silk, 2005
Umbra Penumbra
The title refers to parts of a shadow. In addition to shadow, the Merriam Webster dictionary defines Penumbra as: A body of rights held to be guaranteed by implication in a civil constitution. 6.25 x 8.5 wool & cotton, 2022
Revolution
'Revolution" was inspired by a c.1780, French, silk, walking dress, a new style derived from work clothes and town wear of ordinary people. In this new style, the skirt, draped back gave the wearer more freedom of movement. The folds and bright red color caught my eye."Revolution' speaks to the new freedom of the dress but also to the upcoming French Revolution and most importantly to the clothing evolution that would begin in earnest around 1850 with talk of how restrictive clothing distorted women's bodies and compromised their health. This was the start of the women's movement. Women tried to take back control of their bodies through clothing, later suffrage and on to today's issues. 60 x 27.5 inches, cotton & silk, 2012 Artist Collection