This series of whole-cloth, hand-dyed and stitched quilts explores the nexus of craft and magic. The compositions are inspired by nebulas, auroras and sky-scapes, exploring and rejoicing in the melding of color. Each piece undergoes many rounds of dye painting to create depth and life.
Each one is, to me, always a bit of a surprise.
The stitching patterns draw from a mix of sacred geometry, runes, mandalas and invented magical sigils which are as equally important as the dye compositions. I choose to sew each one by hand for several reasons. I am, in effect, sewing spells into these pieces. I feel that the presence of the hand, the presence of the creator, is integral to creating a sacred object. I am able to be present with the piece in a way I wouldn’t be were I working by machine.
I want the quilts to be full of life and stories before they are even finished, which means portability is key. I take them with me everywhere I go, and I like to think about the places and times that are stitched into them. Portal was completed while traveling through Spain, France, Germany and Ireland; Rift stayed a little closer to home, but has spent many hours being worked on from a hammock deep in the Pacific Northwest woods, overlooking an alpine lake. The devotion, enchantment and life that gets worked into the finished piece, to me, creates a sacred object whose power goes beyond just its visual impact.
Each one is, to me, always a bit of a surprise.
The stitching patterns draw from a mix of sacred geometry, runes, mandalas and invented magical sigils which are as equally important as the dye compositions. I choose to sew each one by hand for several reasons. I am, in effect, sewing spells into these pieces. I feel that the presence of the hand, the presence of the creator, is integral to creating a sacred object. I am able to be present with the piece in a way I wouldn’t be were I working by machine.
I want the quilts to be full of life and stories before they are even finished, which means portability is key. I take them with me everywhere I go, and I like to think about the places and times that are stitched into them. Portal was completed while traveling through Spain, France, Germany and Ireland; Rift stayed a little closer to home, but has spent many hours being worked on from a hammock deep in the Pacific Northwest woods, overlooking an alpine lake. The devotion, enchantment and life that gets worked into the finished piece, to me, creates a sacred object whose power goes beyond just its visual impact.
