A desire to create an atmosphere for emotion to be birthed, nurtured and encouraged to fully bloom is the springboard for the batik tree that emerges from the plain, white silk, bamboo or cotton fabric. The colors, applied with thickened, fiber reactive dyes, usually with primitive tools, naturally follow the whisper of the emotion to be conveyed through the finished layers of each contemporary art quilt. A myriad of surface design techniques are employed to encourage the evolution of the background fiber, including addition and subtraction of dyes, inks and/or paints in a seemingly endless stream of consciousness revealing patterns, textures and visual interest to enhance the stately centerpiece of branches and limbs. Text derived from Scriptures is imposed next through silk organza to speak to the heart of the fiber piece, as it offers the true essence of the purpose of this art, to impart encouragement, comfort and hope to its viewers. Stitch follows stitch as one by one the shiny, smooth threads are stretched by hand and machine to reveal a final layer of pattern adding another dimension to the tree body and supporting surroundings. Inspiration often comes from the serenity of nature and from the commonality of human suffering and need; as well as the artist’s desire to offer something emotionally and psychologically helpful, healing and valuable to the viewer.
Newer work imparts a similar tone using diverse methods and contrasting materials, as leaves and bark from indigenous plants and trees surrender their natural color to the cloth through the alchemy of adding time, heat and mordanting agents. This method, known as eco-printing, offers the combination of the artist’s favorite creative components, natural inspiration and materials which render the soft, muted colors that speak on a soulful level, along with the organic shapes and patterns of elements carefully selected outdoors. Once printed, these one of a kind pieces of art cloth are layered with other natural fibers such as linen, raw silk and Fuji silk broadcloth in anticipation of the threadwork, which will follow. Finally the slow work of hand stitching is added to accentuate the beauty, both subtle and pronounced, in the printed cloth, once again honoring the origin of these special pieces and their leaves’ distinctive impressions.
It is the artist’s desire that when viewing her work, you come away feeling inspired and encouraged toward introspection, with the hope of gaining your own unique insights, leading to a deeper level of self-discovery. The scriptural components of the artist’s works are intended to speak to a personal or spiritual need, which may be present in the person viewing the art quilts, rendering the pieces interactive in tangible and existential ways. Appreciation and love for the selected scriptures are the impetuses of a fulfilling relationship between the artist’s work and the collectors of this work. As viewers revisit the pieces time after time to read the text and allow it to permeate the deeper recesses of their hearts and minds, the transformation that was intrinsically motivated is free to unfurl.