I am a fiber artist in rural Pennsylvania. My art quilts look like paintings, and they do contain a little ink and paint, but they are first and foremost quilts. They are made of commercial and hand dyed fabric that has been layered onto batting and backing then stitched, much like those of our grandmothers. Having grown up around traditional quilts, I realized that I couldn’t create the visions I had using patterns and straight lines. To showcase the structure of plants on a riverbank or floating in still water, I needed a new technique. With the help of a few key teachers, I found my voice and realized my vision.

I draw most of my inspiration from our national parks. In 2018 I was selected for an artist residency at Manassas National Battlefield Park. The experience taught me many things, one of which is that the park’s present is just as important as its past. Part of that present is the health of the natural environment. Many dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to attain it. As an artist observing and interpreting the beauty of the park, their work is not only evident but admired.

My most ambitious project so far has been my “Water Dance” series, inspired by the riparian environment. This series originated in 2019 during my residency at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I had been exploring the banks of the Oconaluftee River and was drawn in. It was truly inspiring. The water’s edge continues to be a focus in my work. From the small ponds on our farm to the Merced River at Yosemite, there is something special about this environment.