In 2017, I expanded my repertoire of sewn bird portraits into a larger family, forming the ancestral figures in my piece titled "The Genealogy of My Imaginary Family." This composition was created specifically for the "Birdland and Anthropocene" exhibit at the Peale Museum, where it filled a prominent display case.

Comprising 13 freehand machine-stitched bird portraits, ranging from 3" to 14" in size, the canvas-stretched circular hooped birds collectively resembled a genealogy tree reflecting diverse human personalities. The selection of native birds, spanning from the familiar to extirpated breeds in Maryland, aimed to evoke a sense of familial connection. The arrangement of these portraits tells a nuanced narrative through subtle expressive reactions and silent dialogue, akin to family portraits.

Each bird portrait was meticulously crafted using freehand machine stitching, a method of manipulating the canvas under the moving needle to draw every mark, value, and detail. The labor-intensive process resulted in line drawings that served as a dedicated homage to the preservation of these avian species.

Since the creation of this piece, my "family" of bird portraits has continued to evolve. The portraits vary in shape and size, from ruff to helmeted guineafowl, and from profiles to full-body representations. The transition from black thread to a spectrum of colors adds depth and vibrancy to the ongoing series. In 2023, I introduced these bird portraits as collaborators within scenes found in toile fabrics, further expanding the narrative and visual richness of my evolving avian family.

Check out the show  here for the Birdland and the Anthropocene catalogue