Art in My Early Years.
My earliest recollection of creating art was drawing. As a child, I watched my older brother draw cartoon characters and letterheads from memory. I was intrigued by his talent and eventually tried it on my own. I started drawing Peanuts characters and other comic characters such as the Jetsons and Josie and the Pussycat. At twelve years old, I begged my mom to buy me a drafting table. With my drafting table and first set of mechanical pencils in hand, I literally spent hours and hours drawing whatever I saw and liked.
Later on, I took a hiatus from drawing to explore more tactile mediums and was introduced to crocheting by my mom. Even though I was a leftie, she managed to teach me crocheting using the mirror technique. She would sit in front of me and crochet a sample. Using a mirror pointed at her, I learned by studying her motions through the mirror. I found that crocheting was fun and that I could occupy my restless nature by working on long projects that involved making smaller pieces that were assembled into a larger one. I was hooked.
Being bit by the "Quilting Bug". As a teenage girl, I had always been into textile arts and started my own crocheting business from ages 14 through 17 years old. I loved working with my hands but soon developed Carpal Tunnel. I had to find something else to nurture my creative side. Shortly after, I purchased a computerized machine and began to learn about making quilts. I took my first quilting class in 2004 and learned from a simple pattern that contained five colors and all cottons. My first quilt ended up with seven colors with cotton and silk fabric. I was officially bit by the “quilting” bug.
Later on, I took a hiatus from drawing to explore more tactile mediums and was introduced to crocheting by my mom. Even though I was a leftie, she managed to teach me crocheting using the mirror technique. She would sit in front of me and crochet a sample. Using a mirror pointed at her, I learned by studying her motions through the mirror. I found that crocheting was fun and that I could occupy my restless nature by working on long projects that involved making smaller pieces that were assembled into a larger one. I was hooked.
Being bit by the "Quilting Bug". As a teenage girl, I had always been into textile arts and started my own crocheting business from ages 14 through 17 years old. I loved working with my hands but soon developed Carpal Tunnel. I had to find something else to nurture my creative side. Shortly after, I purchased a computerized machine and began to learn about making quilts. I took my first quilting class in 2004 and learned from a simple pattern that contained five colors and all cottons. My first quilt ended up with seven colors with cotton and silk fabric. I was officially bit by the “quilting” bug.
Opening FabricWorks Studio. Later in 2004, I opened my quilt studio, FabricWorks Studio and began making my own quilts. I exhibited and sold my first quilts throughout NC and SC in 2006 and soon after began exhibiting my quilts all over the country. I aim to create colorful, one-of-kind, soulful pieces that are an integral part of my creative journey.
Abstract Painting. I love the immediacy and the intimacy that I feel with acrylics. Although, I love painting acrylics on canvas, I absolutely adore working with wood as a substrate. Wood is sturdy, organic and really makes me feel more "grounded" to the piece I'm working on.
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| Color Study No. 9 |
Artist Statement
Why I create art
I'm in love with the "experience" of creating art and how that permeates life. For me art is a language. It is a way of communicating with the world we live in. It also provides a passageway into ourselves. I love art because it can bring people together, help us to reach deep within, and allow us to understand and cope with the world we live in. My mission with my art is to share my gift of creativity and hope to all that I encounter in this life AND to spread the message that we can all live life artfully.
About my art
In my work, I like to explore color, texture and movement with simple designs. I started in textiles as a crocheter in which I worked with a great deal of textures. I then moved to art quilting to stay with a tactile art. After 12 years of competitive quilting, my interest grew to painting with acrylics and inks. I love the immediacy and the spontaneity of these substances. In my paintings, I explore vibrant colors and visual textures.
I thrive on spontaneous, fast-paced and free form creation. I'm particularly interested in movement, flow and energy in visual mediums like acrylics, inks and dyes. I love creating in different mediums and materials. To me, it's analogous to being able to communicate in different languages.
In my work, I often use technology to create contemporary, color-filled, abstract designs. My aesthetic is clean, layered with colors and soulful. My works are layered and explore multiple colors, simple composition, line and texture. Each time I work on a project, I aim to create something unique and visually pleasing.
