I am fascinated by texture and color and inspired by a myriad of images from the natural and constructed worlds. I’m particularly intrigued by the interplay of color and light, including reflections, shadows and unexpected luminosity. I try to create some of these effects when altering the white paper and fabrics with which I begin.
I’ve also become entranced with organic marks generated by wind, water or erosion. I especially like the erosion present in the urban environment and have being working on a series, Urbana, that focuses on images related to cities.There are currently five pieces in this series, each of which portrays the urban landscape in a different way. One of the joys of cities are its layers, resulting from development over centuries and the influx of many kinds of people, all of whom eventually leave their imprint. As these layers peel away, they reveal much of what happened in the past.
I’m constantly experimenting with new materials and different methods of dyeing, painting or printing my materials. Recently I have been working a lot with paper and am combining paper and fabric in some of my newest work.
My process is generally more intuitive rather than conceptual. Most pieces are inspired by materials I have created rather than by a vision or sketch done beforehand. I often begin by arranging materials that I have dyed and painted/stamped/silkscreened or otherwise treated on my design wall, moving them around until they coalesce. Occasionally I am inspired by the work of another artist, in a different medium, or by a real-life image that catches my fancy. Recently, the hostile and divisive political climate in which we are living has compelled me to create an occasional piece in reaction to societal events.