About Me
I’ve always had a passion for making & creating. My grandmother made intricate heirloom tatting linens (similar to lace) and taught me to crochet at a young age. I enjoyed a pottery class at Appalachian State University, and I worked at a stained glass studio in Charlotte after graduating from college. After 30 years of teaching & administration in the field of early intervention, I found more time to create. My passion is creating textile art, especially art quilts, and sometimes baby quilts and throws for special people. Other interests include walking & searching out beautiful leaves to make botanical contact prints; knitting; gardening & cooking. I’m blessed to be able to spend time with my family, especially my first grandchild who lives in Wisconsin- too far away from my home in Asheville, North Carolina!
Art Process
I enjoy the process of making enhanced botanical prints, which are made by steaming real leaves on silk, cotton or paper to bring out the tannins or pigments. I love the rustic depth and translucent nature of botanical contact prints on silk but I also love color. I choose earthy colors in my art quilts that compliment the greens and browns from the contact prints. I use a variety of techniques including the use of ink or dyes to surround the leaf prints with color. Gold leaf, hand embossed metal (aluminum or copper) and metallic threads or paint add reflective light. I finish my work with hand embroidery, free motion quilting or a knitted border to provide texture.
I embrace the slow art process of layering to make each piece unique. The process begins with collecting leaves at my home in Asheville. Two of my favorites are red bud and sumac, which are considered weeds or invasive in the area. Hickory, Maple and Oaks are also abundant in my yard and make great contact prints. Each & every botanical print is unique. In fact, although I try to recreate a favorite leaf print, they never come out the same. I find that the unexpected nature of the process keeps the creating exciting & fun.
I embrace the slow art process of layering to make each piece unique. The process begins with collecting leaves at my home in Asheville. Two of my favorites are red bud and sumac, which are considered weeds or invasive in the area. Hickory, Maple and Oaks are also abundant in my yard and make great contact prints. Each & every botanical print is unique. In fact, although I try to recreate a favorite leaf print, they never come out the same. I find that the unexpected nature of the process keeps the creating exciting & fun.
Artist Resume
2019 “Be Still”, Asheville Quilt Show, Honorable Mention in Member Category, Theme: Star Struck.
2019 Published works in “Best of Both Worlds: Enhanced Botanical Printing” by Jane Dunnewold.
2019 “Blessings”, Seasons of Green Exhibit at Church Street Gallery, Central UMC, Asheville NC.
2018 “Radical Joy“, Asheville Quilt Show, 2nd Place in Member Category, Theme: Me, Myself & I.
2018 “I Know the Plans” and “Radical Joy”, Church Street Gallery, Central UMC, Asheville, NC.
2017 “I Lift Up My Eyes”, Asheville Quilt Show, 3rd Place in Member Category, Theme: All Things Bright & Beautiful.
MEMBERSHIPS/& AFFILIATIONS: Asheville Quilt Guild; Studio Art Quilt Associates; Mountain Art Quilters.
2019 Published works in “Best of Both Worlds: Enhanced Botanical Printing” by Jane Dunnewold.
2019 “Blessings”, Seasons of Green Exhibit at Church Street Gallery, Central UMC, Asheville NC.
2018 “Radical Joy“, Asheville Quilt Show, 2nd Place in Member Category, Theme: Me, Myself & I.
2018 “I Know the Plans” and “Radical Joy”, Church Street Gallery, Central UMC, Asheville, NC.
2017 “I Lift Up My Eyes”, Asheville Quilt Show, 3rd Place in Member Category, Theme: All Things Bright & Beautiful.
MEMBERSHIPS/& AFFILIATIONS: Asheville Quilt Guild; Studio Art Quilt Associates; Mountain Art Quilters.