This on-going project began in 2006; it is a work of remembrance, honoring the women and men killed as witches during the Witch Trial-Era. This project began with the gathering of the real names and stories of lost lives, an expedition into our past (and too often present) of violence and fear-based persecution. Based on newly translated documentation of this history, my investigation into this fearful period is directed through a lens of gender theory, while also examining the connections between the Witch-Trial Era and the rise of capitalism and colonialism. Over the past eight years, this project has included installations, a memorial wall of names stitched onto a large tapestry (The Shroud of Remembrance – currently two panels each 4’ x 9’), the creation of poetic text to give voice to the victims, and most importantly, hand made poppets representing the individuals executed as “witches.”

"The Melissa" brings my sculptural work to a new level of realization. The piece is entirely covered in hand work, beading and stitching, with increased utilization of semiprecious stones and vintage elements.

The Melissa: Fiber art, beading, sequins, semiprecious stones, buttons, pins,
costume jewelry, and mixed media collage on a sculptural assemblage of vintage dress form and mannequin pieces. 5’ 9” x 20” x 20”

The Singer’s Robe for the Song of Ruin was inspired by Lois Lowry’s dystopian novel for young readers, Gathering Blue, which presents a future society based in violence, warfare, and persecution that gathers once a year to hear the “Song of Ruin,” an epic poem holding the collective memory of their ancestral past; its images are stitched into the Singer’s Robe.

The Singer's Robe for the Song of Ruin: Fiber art, beading, sequins, semiprecious stones, buttons, pins, costume jewelry, found objects, and mixed media collage on fabric 6' x 4 1/2'

I had the wonderful opportunity to show sculptural and two dimensional work in the beautiful gallery space, Art with Us: The Gallery at Emmanuel Episcopal Church:

Descending / Rising: Above and Below. Light and darkness. My work engages the viewer in a transformative journey from visions of starry heaven to the depths of the underworld. Here we encounter the embodied presences of guardians and allies that reside within.

Fiber art / mixed media work 5' long by 29 1/2" wide - covered in hand beading and needle work

Sculptural fiber art / mixed media work, installation

Fiber art / mixed media 2D work

I'm excited to be sharing this recently finished piece, "Restoring Joy," fiber art/mixed media work. This piece is 55" x 34 1/2".

As a fiber artist, my pieces begin with textiles selected for elaborate patterns which are then overworked with labor-intensive hand stitching and beadwork, buttons, costume jewelry, found objects, and appliquéd pieces.