When I’m in nature, my strengths of appreciation of beauty, curiosity, and love of learning come together and form the start of my art. My work tells nature stories using fiber as my medium.

I start in the field, reaping endless inspiration by exploring outside in the natural world. I record by photo, sketch, written words or just memory things that catch my interest – color, shape, texture, movement, sound, behavior, changes of the seasons. The actions of noticing and watching are at once both meditative and energizing to me – noticing the shy white bloom hiding under twin mayapple leaf umbrellas; watching a group of birds wading in the sea foam, probing the sand with their long bills; hearing the repeated long trill of a chipping sparrow. Researching to identify and learn about what I’ve seen is part of my process, deepening my inspiration, understanding and connection to nature.

My work continues in my home studio, creating pieces that explore colors, shapes, textures and express my wonder and appreciation. In my mind, I’m transported back to the time I spent outside watching, hearing and noticing. I start designing with digital sketching, distilling down to a story I want to tell about my subject. I add color to my sketch and decide what details contribute to the theme. Then I move the design over to a linen foundation to begin the fiber work. Once I start, the piece will evolve as I refine design, material and color choices.

I’m influenced by the art and philosophies of the 18th and 19th century Pennsylvania Germans, whose art motifs were often a celebration of nature. Like my Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors, my work does not attempt to accurately record nature. Although I use colors, shapes and textures that aren’t realistic, viewers will recognize specific species in my work.

Current work includes a series based on birds. They’re one of my biggest inspirations – their variety, their feats of migration, their ability to move through the world in three dimensions. “Conk-la-reee”, a recent piece, is the story of the male red-winged blackbird. Perched in his favorite habitat of soggy cattail marshes, he spreads his epaulets and tail, calling out his distinctive “conk-la-ree” to defend his territory and to attract mates. His song is a welcome to early spring.

My art is based on “women’s work” of traditional rug hooking, pulling loops of wool fabric. I expand from there with contemporary themes, employing other fiber materials such as roving and silk, and techniques including felting and stitching. Leftover material from knitting and other projects become part of my inventory of fiber to use in my work, as well as treasures discovered at creative reuse stores. The sense of touch is strong for me – the sensation of different fibers in my fingers and the feel of tools in my hands. My work is contemporary hooked art, tied to a rich rug hooking history through the rhythmic repetition of pulling loops.