An occasional series, featuring an interview with one of our members.
My greatest pleasure is being in the zone, when time stops, my focus is narrow and work gets done without much conscious thought.
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Last Clear Chance, commission for
San Diego Regional Airport Authority
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What themes or ideas are reoccurring in your work?
Time, process and change are reoccurring concepts. My work changes
with new techniques, with changes in my personal life, with research when a new
idea pops up. Time is part of my process as well. I hand dye most of the
fabrics I use. It can take several dye processes to get the color and pattern I
want. Machine piecing and machine embroidery are time consuming. I machine
quilt all my work and hand embroidery often is a final step. Some pieces go
together quickly – less than a week. Others can take months to resolve.
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Airport Backsplash,
mosaic tile drinking fountain
San Diego Regional Airport Authority
Terminal 1, near Gate 3, inside security
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How do you approach your work? Recently I have had commissions that direct the concepts and content. When I am starting my own work I often begin with fabric…piles of fabric….until something stands out and begins the additive process of image/concept development. After some research, often a simple google search, ideas are refined and manipulated on my wall.
What is your creative process? Sometimes work starts with color and pattern: Sometimes with a concept or word. I often do some research on a concept or word or image. After that my best process is as without thought as possible. Back to that “in the zone.”
What tool could you not live without?
Sewing machine, fabric, dictionary or computer since google is now a
resource, needle and thread, pencil and eraser.
When did you first
become interested in fiber? I’ve been working with fabric since I was a
small child. My mother taught me to use the sewing machine when I was very
small. We made my school clothes every year through high school.
Does California, as
a locale, physically or an idea, emotionally, manifest itself in your work? The clear sunny climate of Southern
California appears in my usually preferred color palette-full intensity colors
particularly red. However, I spend
a substantial amount of time in interior Alaska at various times of the year. I
am drawn to the subtlety of the color palette there. When I work with an artist friend there I find my palette shifting to grayer and more muted colors.
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| Chinook, art quilt, 2011. 19"h x 41"w |
Why did you decide
to become a member of California Fibers?
I’ve been a CF member since the late 80’s? (I can’t find a resume with the date of my first exhibit with CF. It was a show at
the Pannikan in Encinitas.). Donna Joslyn who was CF membership chair then
encouraged me to jury into the group. CF offered an opportunity to stretch my
skills and ideas to art rather than womens clothing which was my focus at the
time. I remain a member because that opportunity to stretch and grow continues.
