"Self Portrait"

"Self Portrait"

Embroidery

2013

 

 

 

 

 

          Embroidery, soon to become a favorite medium of mine, is something magical. There

is a kind of mystery to its development. You begin with a few lines, here and there, just to

get things started. And soon you're off; making flat stitches turn to shallow hills of color.

And as the piece progresses- whether you work all over at once, or you finish certain

sections at a time, you never can quite predict how your images will turn out; how those

last second little stitches can make all the difference. You may think you are simply filling 

in an area with a solid, flat color, and yet when you stop- there they are... the breaks in 

between the stitches create even more lines for your eyes to follow and get lost in.  

 

          I do believe this is love.



 

 

 

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This self portrait is the second embroidery I've created.

More to come, for sure!

 

 

 

"None the Same"

"None the Same" 2012

6" x 8"

Intaglio, Yarn,

Hand dyed and Waxed Paper 

 

 

 

 

None the Same is a portrait. The symbol of the breast is used in a forceful manner,

seeming to be a pair of eyes looking directly at the viewer. The use of black creates

a feel of heaviness, dense and hard. The misshapen details of the breasts reveal uniqueness

in the female, with a pairing of sewing and yarn- reflecting an expected feminine craft to

contrast. 

Nature, and all it's Capabilities....

Hays Cemetery 2012

 Hancock County, Indiana

 

 

 

 

 

Including organic materials in my work is a reflection of my fondness for nature,

and it's endless storybook of objects, textures, creatures, and life. Animal remains

house a great amount of life, even after death. A story remains to be told, and I

believe the spirit can be immortalized by creating a home for that which the animal

left behind. And the same can be said with humans.

 

Here, you can see me at Hays Cemetery in Hancock, Indiana. Hays Cemetery has 

undergone years of destructive and disrespectful behavior. There is now a circle

of broken headstones created by those responsible for the chaos. When I was there, I decided that some purity and kindness was needed. I buried a white candle withing

dried wheat, and lit it. All the while dropping dried yellow marigolds around the

circle to fuse the area with peace and to hopefully leave a feeling of respect.

 

 

My work often reflects themes of death, altars, and the supernatural. I included this

photograph for those to see I not only practice these ideals in my work, but also in life.

"6 Hands in the Mud"

"6 Hands in the Mud" 2012

100 Acres, IMA

Mixed Media

 

 

 

6 Hands in the Mud was a collaborative show held at the 100 Acres at the IMA

in the summer of 2012. Erin Trimble, Ashley Windbigler, and myself set up the

show in the beautiful woods located by the lake near the museum. The show

included prints, sculptures, textiles and mixed media pieces. The clouds remained

dark and grey yet never rained us out. It was a lovely day with a great turn out.

Thank you everyone who came out to see us!

 



"Ritual Residue"

"Ritual Residue" 2012

5' x 18'

Silkscreen, Waxed Paper, Red Pepper,

Twine, Fabric, and Found Objects

 

 

 

 

Ritual Residue became a home away from home. A protective circle of crushed

red pepper surrounds a large handmade pillow (filled with herbs). Suspended

above the seat are a collection of hand dyed, waxed, sewn, and printed pouches

filled with objects of use and importance. The installation illustrates isolation and

solitude in the process of crafting objects and collecting memories and materials. 

 

"Rocks in the Water"

"Rocks in the Water" 2011

22"x30"

Mixed Media

This is an example of my experimentation with paper and prints as containers. Each pouch

is sewn onto the print, housing within them a flat stone gathered by myself. 

"Unite in our Differences"

"Unite in our Differences" 2012

22"x30"

Monotype, Waxed Mulberry paper, Yarn

Once waxed, the mulberry paper becomes almost completely transparent. It is

feeble and susceptible to cracks, tearing, and bending. The weakness of this paper

is framed with a soft, pink yarn with a gentle zig zag effect. These tender mediums

are directly contrasted by the large scale breasts, which seem like eyes, that penetrate

the viewers gaze. The symbol of a breast, feminine and usually hidden subtly displayed,

is here at face level- misshapen, hypnotic, and powerful.