This is a personal exploration of color and process. The chaos of the world, the contrast of us all, our similarities and our differences. This contrast is highlighted and nudged to a tipping point. Bringing us all together. It is time to celebrate this chaos, our differences, instead of fight them. It is time to find peace in the chaos and come together to celebrate our similarities. Only then will we find peace.
A pattern of traditional 'house' quilt blocks is embroidered over a sheer covered vintage quilt top. The house pattern is used to symbolize family as tied to a time and a place and not to blood or lineage. My message is that current American policy is not considerate of families or tradition.
This piece is an exploration in repurposed fabrics, specifically t-shirts and denim. I was looking for a way to aid in the textile waste problem that our world is facing. I encountered many obstacles along the way. I loved it, I hated it, and began to notice that the obstacles were giving the work character, and this got me thinking about another problem that our world faces and that is the obsession with perfect appearances, physical or otherwise. There is beauty in everything and when we learn to celebrate our flaws, our mistakes the world can become a better place.
This is a personal exploration of color and process. I am continuing to explore the concept of bringing order to chaos. I am drawn to the process. Each part of the making of these improvisational pieces brings me into the moment. As I continue to explore this theme, with this process, I realize that I am zeroing in. Zeroing in on what I love to do and how I love to do it. I am learning about myself in the process, I am looking inward, I am working out what comes from within, and finding peace and beauty along the way.
The personal exploration of color and process continues. I am continuing to explore the concept of bringing order to chaos. I am drawn to the process. Each part of the making of these improvisational pieces brings me into the moment. As I continue to explore this theme, with this process, I realize that my work is turning a corner. It was once one thing and now it is becoming another. It is evolving and this piece represents a turning point in time.
This piece is another personal exploration of color and process. Finding order in the chaos is becoming a reoccuring theme. I am drawn to the improvisational process and placement of color. It represents freedom, freedom to be myself, to except what is, to be in the moment. It just happens, I follow my instincts that it needs something else. A little order, to contrast and center the chaos. The stitched ‘grid’ represents this order, in bright contrasting thread, it is an attempt to get it together.
This is a personal exploration of color and process. The layers of life, working together in some ways and clashing in others. Life is messy and chaotic, yet beauty can be found in all of it. It is time to celebrate the light, that we all possess, in our similarities and in our differences.
This is a personal exploration of color and process. Our moments stitched together, working in some ways and clashing in others. Our lives are busy and chaotic, yet peace and calm can be found in every moment. It is time to celebrate these sweet spots, these moments of calm in the chaos.
I've embroidered over colorful intuitively pieced cloth and hand tied an elementary house shape. The house symbolizes family as tied to a time and a place and not to blood or lineage. My message is that we are all black sheep in some way and need to celebrate and not suppress these differences.
This quilt was made for my daughter, she chose the colors and I chose to add the black and white. This quilt is improvisationally pieced and hand tied. I love the process of improvisation. I let the colors and shapes guide the placement, and let my intuition make decisions. I love giving this piece (of me) to my daughter and chose to tie it as a design element exploration and as a symbol that we are Forever Tied Together.
This piece was made for and is currently on display with the SAQA Declarations of Sentiment Exhibit. The title speaks for itself. It is hard to believe we have not made more progress on the issues of human equality, not just for women, but for EVERYONE. The Big Pink V symbolizes women. Adjacent are black and white to symbolize racial injustice. The colorful ties represent EVERYONE no matter your gender or sexual orientation. The quilt graphically and abstractly attempts to include all people and to make a statement that it is shameful in today's modern society that all people do not have equal human rights. WHY? Equal rights for ALL includes you, so WHY, WHY is this STILL an issue.
This quilt is one of my first adventures in improvisational piecing. It was originally intended to be the back of the quilt but I fell in love with it and the process of making it.
Next time you walk between concourses, at the Indianapolis International Airport, you will get a chance to see a LARGE digital detail of my textile piece Getting Centered. Thank you to The Arts Council of Indianapolis, The Indianapolis Airport Authority. Learn more here.
This year keep your eye out while driving around Indianapolis for a digital detail of my textile piece, Sweet Spots. Honored to be included with this year’s High Art Billboard Project, along with 10 other inspiring Indianapolis artists. Thank you again to The Arts Council of Indianapolis and to Fairway Outdoor Indianapolis.
15.5" X 21.5" Textile Collage
12" x 12" Textile Collage : published in issue #2 of Curated Quilts magazine
10.5" x 16" Textile Collage
4" X 4" framed textile collage
8.25" x 11.5" Textile Collage
12" X 12" Textile Collage
I am always experimenting and exploring. Here are a few of the things that are currently in progress. To see more of my process please find me on Instagram @highfivesandsilverlines.
