Island Journey: Hub Gallery Show

ARTIST STATEMENT:

The first project I can remember making was carnation bouquets out of colored tissues, assembled with a never-ending supply of tissue and all the wire I could use from my grandfather’s hardware store on Seattle’s waterfront. As I got older, I graduated to more sophisticated fiber art projects–knitting, crocheting, embroidering. By the time I was in junior high, I became fascinated with beads and began collecting them.

Although much of my creative energy as an adult went into teaching high school art, I continued working in fiber during my spare time until I began making tufted rugs.

After moving to Whidbey Island, I returned to designing and stitching embroideries, and retired from making rugs. I use a variety of threads; mostly cotton embroidery floss as I love the sheen and choice of colors. I incorporate a variety of stitches, although French knots predominate my work. Each piece is one of a kind, and an original design. Many of my pieces are landscapes of places around here on the island.

I also incorporate punch needle embroidery into some of my hand stitched work. The same technique of my rugs, but on a much smaller scale using embroidery floss instead of yarn. I enjoy the compact nature of this little-known process, sometimes including beads as I work with designs taken from the natural world.

I also design jewelry and although fiber and jewelry seem like conflicting mediums, working with both soft and hard materials makes perfect sense to me. I love the tactile quality of working on embroideries, as well as the rich colors of the thread. But I also love selecting the unusual beads used in my jewelry, and the unique bead/silver compositions.

On view January 18 through March 3, 2025
Hub Gallery, Bayview Cash Store
5603 Bayview Road, Langley WA

Daily, 10 am to 6 pm

Artist’s Reception
Sunday, January 26, 1-3 PM