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sculptural fiber artist
Sacred Materiality:
Channeling the Divine Through Nature
I look to the natural world for materials and guidance in my artmaking. As I walk through forests and empty lots, beaches, and riverbanks, I absorb the splendor of creation. All the life around me equally bathes in the sunlight and rain showers that we require, and I become immersed in the spirit that unites all life and the universe. Once gathered, I listen to the materials speaking about their connections to the sacred and follow their lead in creating works that I hope resonate with the spirituality in the viewer.
Forest Bathing
Henry David Thoreau was a well-known proponent of the practice the Japanese call Shinrin-yoku, or Forest Bathing. In Walking he wrote,
“So we saunter toward the Holy Land, till one day the sun shall shine more brightly than ever he has done, shall perchance shine into our minds and hearts, and light up our whole lives with a great awakening light, as warm and serene and golden as on a bank-side in autumn.”
There are times when walking in the forest is not possible. With this installation you can imagine yourself immersed in the forest and feel its spirit wash over you.
75"h x 39"w x 25"d
Materials: willow, unryu paper, fusible web, hemp cord, thread, artificial sinew, bleach, ink
Techniques: basket weaving, fusing, cutting, stitching, distressing, tying
Strawberry Moon
The Algonquin tribes call the June full moon the Strawberry Moon.
18"h x 14.5w x 2"d
Materials: bittersweet vine, dyed-cane, handmade flax paper, waxed linen thread
Techniques: construction, weaving, knotting
18"h x 14.5w x 2"d
Materials: bittersweet vine, dyed-cane, handmade flax paper, waxed linen thread
Techniques: construction, weaving, knotting
Numen No. 1
A numen is a divine power or spirit inhabiting a particular object.
25"h x 6.5"w x 3"d
Materials: bittersweet vine, sumac wood, gold-colored wire, gold leaf, gesso, yellow ochre pigment, linseed oil
Techniques: gilding, needlelace
25"h x 6.5"w x 3"d
Materials: bittersweet vine, sumac wood, gold-colored wire, gold leaf, gesso, yellow ochre pigment, linseed oil
Techniques: gilding, needlelace
Numen No. 2 (Quetzalcōātl)
Quetzalcōātl, the Feathered Serpent, is the bringer of rain.
25.5"h x 9"w x 3"d
bittersweet vine, sumac wood, gold leaf, gesso, yellow & red ochre pigments, linseed oil, gold-colored wire, pearl button
25.5"h x 9"w x 3"d
bittersweet vine, sumac wood, gold leaf, gesso, yellow & red ochre pigments, linseed oil, gold-colored wire, pearl button
Release Me
A meditative walk through the divine forest releases me from the chaos in my brain.
Materials: bittersweet vine; artist made paper; undyed hemp, cotton, or linen yarns, yellow ochre pigment, linseed oil, artist’s hair
Techniques: material manipulation, papermaking, needlelace, crochet, looping, knitting, pin loom weaving, lashing, wrapping
Materials: bittersweet vine; artist made paper; undyed hemp, cotton, or linen yarns, yellow ochre pigment, linseed oil, artist’s hair
Techniques: material manipulation, papermaking, needlelace, crochet, looping, knitting, pin loom weaving, lashing, wrapping
Drifting Flowers of the Sea
Inspired by the poem
"Drifting Flowers of the Sea" by Sadakichi Hartmann
Across the dunes, in the waning light,
The rising moon pours her amber rays,
Through the slumbrous air of the dim, brown night
The pungent smell of the seaweed strays—
From vast and trackless spaces
Where wind and water meet,
White flowers, that rise from the sleepless deep,
Come drifting to my feet.
They flutter the shore in a drowsy tune,
Unfurl their bloom to the lightlorn sky,
Allow a caress to the rising moon,
Then fall to slumber, and fade, and die.
White flowers, a-bloom on the vagrant deep,
Like dreams of love, rising out of sleep,
You are the songs, I dreamt but never sung,
Pale hopes my thoughts alone have known,
Vain words ne’er uttered, though on the tongue,
That winds to the sibilant seas have blown.
In you, I see the everlasting drift of years
That will endure all sorrows, smiles and tears;
For when the bell of time will ring the doom
To all the follies of the human race,
You still will rise in fugitive bloom
And garland the shores of ruined space.
31"h x 14"w x 3.5"d
Materials: bittersweet vine, kozo fiber, kozo paper, linen and linen/paper yarns, artificial sinew
Techniques: papermaking, needlelace, crochet, lashing
"Drifting Flowers of the Sea" by Sadakichi Hartmann
Across the dunes, in the waning light,
The rising moon pours her amber rays,
Through the slumbrous air of the dim, brown night
The pungent smell of the seaweed strays—
From vast and trackless spaces
Where wind and water meet,
White flowers, that rise from the sleepless deep,
Come drifting to my feet.
They flutter the shore in a drowsy tune,
Unfurl their bloom to the lightlorn sky,
Allow a caress to the rising moon,
Then fall to slumber, and fade, and die.
White flowers, a-bloom on the vagrant deep,
Like dreams of love, rising out of sleep,
You are the songs, I dreamt but never sung,
Pale hopes my thoughts alone have known,
Vain words ne’er uttered, though on the tongue,
That winds to the sibilant seas have blown.
In you, I see the everlasting drift of years
That will endure all sorrows, smiles and tears;
For when the bell of time will ring the doom
To all the follies of the human race,
You still will rise in fugitive bloom
And garland the shores of ruined space.
31"h x 14"w x 3.5"d
Materials: bittersweet vine, kozo fiber, kozo paper, linen and linen/paper yarns, artificial sinew
Techniques: papermaking, needlelace, crochet, lashing
Ubi Sunt
A meditation on the transience of all things and the circle of life.
Materials: Oriental bittersweet, willow, paper pulp, kozo, yarn
Techniques: papermaking, knotted netting, tying
28"h x 20"w x 9"d
Materials: Oriental bittersweet, willow, paper pulp, kozo, yarn
Techniques: papermaking, knotted netting, tying
28"h x 20"w x 9"d
Shrine to Gaia
As you wander through the forests, meadows, beaches, marshes, and mountains of Maine, give thanks to Gaia for this precious earth.
Materials: branch, birch bark, willow, handmade paper, crochet thread, linen yarn, waxed linen thread, glue, nails
Techniques: papermaking, stitching, interlacing, drilling, nailing, gluing
36"h x 22"w x 5" d
Materials: branch, birch bark, willow, handmade paper, crochet thread, linen yarn, waxed linen thread, glue, nails
Techniques: papermaking, stitching, interlacing, drilling, nailing, gluing
36"h x 22"w x 5" d
Where Have All the Flowers Gone
In creating this artwork I was thinking about the loss of the innocence, beauty, and vitality of nature as humanity claims more and more of the earth for unsustainable purposes.
42"h x 29"w x 10"d
Materials: willow, unryu paper, crochet thread, hemp cord
Techniques: basketry, needlelace, knotting, stitching
SOLD
42"h x 29"w x 10"d
Materials: willow, unryu paper, crochet thread, hemp cord
Techniques: basketry, needlelace, knotting, stitching
SOLD
Sanctuary No. 2 - Music Chamber
Imagine yourself at rest in the gently swinging hammock inside Sanctuary No. 2 – Music Chamber. You can hear the chimes clink softly in the breeze. The sprang roof is open to the sky, allowing the sight of blue skies, the music of singing birds, and the scent of the surrounding forest to nourish your spirit. You feel at one with the earth in your sanctuary made of the gifts of nature.
The walls and floor of Sanctuary No. 2: Music Chamber are made from music notes that I had made for a collaborative installation with fellow artist Laurie Bogdan for the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. The installation featured a music staff with the notation for Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind constructed of natural materials we had foraged for.
The walls and floor of Sanctuary No. 2: Music Chamber are made from music notes that I had made for a collaborative installation with fellow artist Laurie Bogdan for the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. The installation featured a music staff with the notation for Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind constructed of natural materials we had foraged for.
Sanctuary No. 2 - Music Chamber -Interior
Materials: repurposed music notes from Music Chamber, Oriental bittersweet, daylily cord, artificial sinew, waxed linen, birch bark, thread.
Techniques: coiling, sprang weaving, pin-loom weaving, stitching, knotting.
13.5” h x 11.5” w x 7.5” d
Techniques: coiling, sprang weaving, pin-loom weaving, stitching, knotting.
13.5” h x 11.5” w x 7.5” d
Spirit House - Air
This Spirit House can be many things:
a resting spot for the spirit, with the familiar elements providing orientation and sustenance;
a tool for meditation;
a reminder to see spirit in nature;
an invitation for the spirit world to inhabit the material world;
a point of departure for a journey into the world of spirit through the elemental portal that speaks to you in this moment
Materials: sticks, handmade paper, daylily cord, leaves, string, artificial sinew, bamboo, tapioca starch
Techniques: papermaking, knotted construction, looping, sewing, gluing
12.5" h x 12" w x 11" d
a resting spot for the spirit, with the familiar elements providing orientation and sustenance;
a tool for meditation;
a reminder to see spirit in nature;
an invitation for the spirit world to inhabit the material world;
a point of departure for a journey into the world of spirit through the elemental portal that speaks to you in this moment
Materials: sticks, handmade paper, daylily cord, leaves, string, artificial sinew, bamboo, tapioca starch
Techniques: papermaking, knotted construction, looping, sewing, gluing
12.5" h x 12" w x 11" d
Sanctuary
Sanctuary invites you to imagine yourself in a special place hidden in the forest where you can retreat from daily cares, immerse yourself in natural beauty, and replenish your soul.
Received the 6 Bridges Gallery Award in January 2021.
Received the 6 Bridges Gallery Award in January 2021.
Ship of Dreams
Take a journey into the realms of the imagination on this ethereal vessel. Will you sail to the spirit world? Perhaps it will take you to your favorite haven.
Materials: sticks, handmade paper and paper pulp, yarn, cotton cord, glue.
Techniques: papermaking, knotted construction, netting, looping, gluing.
19" h x 15" w x 19" d
Materials: sticks, handmade paper and paper pulp, yarn, cotton cord, glue.
Techniques: papermaking, knotted construction, netting, looping, gluing.
19" h x 15" w x 19" d
Moonflower
An expression of the divine feminine.
9"h x 7"w x 3"d
Materials: bittersweet vine; willow, undyed linen yarn, corn husks
Techniques: material manipulation, needlelace, wrapping
9"h x 7"w x 3"d
Materials: bittersweet vine; willow, undyed linen yarn, corn husks
Techniques: material manipulation, needlelace, wrapping
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