About the Art
You always say you know me;
Somehow, I don’t think you do.
Maybe you should buy another vowel.
—Warren Zevon
It’s All About Me…and You
I used to believe that a work of art should stand on its own. Lately, I’ve come to realize that art may, after all, be all about the artist–and the viewer. Learning about the context of a work of art can make me think about it in very different–and often more appreciative ways. Context is critical. And the viewer brings as much to a work as the artist.
So, in fairness to you, and my work, here is my side of the story….
I am the eldest of four children and grew up in a suburb of Detroit. I was the ‘smart one’ (while my sister Nanci was the ‘creative one.’) As such, I neither studied nor practiced art until mid-life. My work comes out of the quilting tradition–quilting and sewing were ‘safe’ pursuits, not because they were ‘womanly’ but because they didn’t seem particularly artistic. I quickly gravitated, however, to what are called art quilts/studio quilts/textile art/fiber art.
After studying English literature and Public Administration, I spent a decade trying to save the world (working for various nonprofits) in Tucson, Arizona. I opened a longarm machine quilting service in 2004.
While running this business full-time, I looked for ways to produce my own work. Time constraints gave me the impetus to explore non-traditional methods of surface design: painting, discharging, decorative stitching, embellishing, printing, and image transfer. These methods are outside the traditional quilting toolbox and can be faster than hand-stitching miles of perfect applique, for instance. Most of my work is layered and stitched, which is the technical definition of quilting. But we are talking form, and not function here. My quilting stitches always add a critical design element to a piece; they are integral to my work.
Themes and Inspiration
Much of my current work (particularly the Samaras and Circlesss series) explores the tension between the human need to make order out of chaos–and the ultimate futility of that endeavor.
I explore the subject of Art as metaphor in works like The Fabric of Our Community and Fragment.
I draw great inspiration from antique imagery from different media and reinterpreting it in fabric with contemporary techniques. Works like America Surrounded, Homage, and My Mother is a Fish neatly fit this category.
One of my goals as an artist is to meet the challenge that a friend once put to me: Show me something I haven’t seen before. So when a viewer tells me that about my work, I can smile and know that I have accomplished what I set out to do.
I hope that helps put my work in context for you. Now, I’m dying to know what you think….
I LOVE your art and when you talk about starting late you are a good encouragement to me!
I am a 62 year-young quilter trying to work with felted sweaters and wool fiber, etc…so far,I should call myself a semi-retired quilter who collects all the wool she touchs! I’m starting to make things, but the ideas in my head are much grander than my courage! I love that you make more than one of an idea, then the first one doesn’t have to suit you perfectly!
Thanks for being there for me to find, I liked your video, you seem very natural in front of a camera and I think you must have a beautiful spirt.
Thanks again, Donna
So glad you found and enjoy my work. Keep making and experimenting, as that is the only way we can get better at what we do. I find that working in a series, changing color schemes, compositions, and techniques, allows me to really explore my themes….. keep on quilting!
Hi cousin Mary,
Wendy and I really love your art work.
Wendy has experience in painting plaster craft and bisque and I have designed (and begun to build) indoor lighting fixtures, so we appreciate your art from two perspectives.
Have you and cousin Mona considered doing a combined exhibition?
Again, really love it! Keep it up, and good luck!
Wendy and William