Biography:
Yes, quilts are art. Queen-sized quilts can even be art. No, my quilting is not a “labor of love”. It is artistic expression that I continually hone so that my work speaks to people in compelling ways. Truly, I love fabric. And I love combining colors, patterns, and textures into an unexpected, pleasing piece.  Art is the result.

Aside from aesthetics, art should challenge the viewer to see something he didn’t see before, literally and figuratively. I design quilts so the viewer perceives new and different elements with each glance.

My quilts explore color through contrasts, such as warm and cool, light and dark, and different levels of saturation.  I might isolate colors like brown and cranberry by including light cranberry, and red-brown for a focused, blended color study.

I build mood into each quilt, based on the theme and pattern of the fabric.  By combining lines, curves, angles, and recognizable shapes, I build visual focus. Texture, whether it’s a sleek linen or a nubby surface, also compliments the mood. 

Last, I create rhythm by varying the scale and weight of patterns.  The right combination keeps the eye moving, discovering new points of interest.  If a pattern is graphically too appealing to be cut into small pieces, I use large panels. On the other hand, some patterns need to be cut and pieced. The key is knowing when and where to cut.