In this series, I invite the viewer to consider the relationship between the endangered species, the historical female body, and the broader themes of survival, healing, and transformation. The Warrior Women Series is not just an exploration of fragility; it is a testament to strength, continuity, and the power of narrative, both personal and universal.

Warrior Women Series pushes the fabric beyond the hoop, featuring a toile curtain panel cascading freely from a vintage embroidery hoop. Each panel becomes more aged (by dying with tea and grime) as the bird, represented by the head of the bird woman, becomes more endangered. The Ruff is the least endangered, and the Horned Grebe is the most vulnerable. The female bodies are taken from historical and contemporary paintings ranging from Ingres to Eric Fishel. Each bird woman is created with free-motion embroidery on organza fabric. Each warrior woman has a belly full of dried medicinal plants that would have been advantageous for me when I was treated for anal cancer. Threads from the warrior woman are sewn throughout the curtain panel to make subtle connections to the historical scenes found in the toile scene, mostly holding up or supporting the working women.

This series has premiered at the Bromo Arts Tower in Baltimore, part of the show Unraveling Threads” 'Emerge Baltimore - This is Baltimore Too’; It is part of “The Subversive Thread”, curated by Jennifer Chrzanowsk that started at the Westbou Gallery in Augusta, Georgia and is currently at the Academy Art Museum in Easton, MD.

This series draws inspiration from the concept of torn wallpaper, symbolizing the act of peeling away layers to reveal glimpses of historical life. Throughout the fabric's narrative, a red or blue thread is intricately woven, symbolizing connection, blindfolding, guidance, and the complexities of interpersonal relationships. It wraps around arms and fingers, pushing and pulling, telling a story of both connection and isolation—a continual yearning for communication despite differing perspectives.

The hybrid bird women, crafted through freehand machine stitching on organza, serve as guardians, prognosticators, and soothsayers. Strategically hand-sewn onto specific areas of the composition, they contribute to the narrative of the artwork.

Photos by Joseph Hyde

They Come in Three is my series that is based on the Three Graces. Drawing upon the historical symbolism associated with the three graces, I sought to embody positive and uplifting emotions, values, and qualities within my bird-woman.

All figures are based on historical or contemporary artworks that feature three figures that are bound or connected together. Figures are created with free-motion embroidery on organza with hand-embroidered bird heads. 

Series of Hand Embroidered bird heads on toile decor fabric.

In these works, my bird women, women, and birds engage with scenes depicted in decor toile fabrics. The toile scenes serve as a symbolic reference to humanity's progressive encroachment on natural and cultural landscapes and the resulting consequences of exploiting Earth's resources. This series is prompting my bird warriors to intervene, educate, and safeguard the future. 

The red line can be referred to as crossing out, correcting, or connecting.  Being brought up during the red ink phase of education, where teachers used red ink to cross out and make corrections over handwritten letters, it had always given me a bad taste in my mouth. Now, that practice is frowned upon, if not forbidden! It also can be seen in crime dramas connecting suspects to suspects and crime to locations. My red line is a red thread that presents a dialogue, thought , idea between my warrior bird women and the narrative toile.

All pieces are 24” H x 12” W. Bird women are free-motion embroidered on organza. appliqued and reinforced stitched onto the toile decor fabric.

Works were all created in 2024 and part of "Unraveling Narratives: A Dialogue in Toile”, Gallery B, Bethesda, MD 2024-2025.

In Dialogue introduces my bird woman and women to the conversations illustrated in toile decor fabrics. Utilizing free-motion embroidery on organza, cotton, or felt, I rendered each element—figures, birds, and plants. Hand Embroidery is used to emphasize the story.