MY ART

Much of my work is inspired by my passion for fly fishing.  It is a meditative sport filled with an abundance of wonderful metaphorical images.  I specialize in pieced designs created from full scale line drawings that have been interpreted from a photograph or sketch. Each shape fits into the next shape, like a puzzle. 

My palette is my collection of fabrics including lots of batiks and hand painted and hand dyed cotton fabrics. I also collect African and other unusual fabrics.  Machine techiniques are used to construct and quilt the pieces, with occasional details added with paint, ink, and hand work.

As a divergence from this fussy work, I also create pieces that are spontaneous and abstract. An unusual or interesting selection of fabrics is generally the inspiration for these pieces. 

MY BACKGROUND

Throughout my childhood, the women in my family inspired me to explore a variety of needle arts.  My mom  introduced me to the sewing machine when I was just five years old.  When I was a young adult searching for something I could be passionate about, I discovered quilting and my husband introduced me to fly fishing.  I knew that these were both activities that I could pursue for a lifetime, and immersed myself into both worlds.

I have produced hundreds of quilts since 1978, many of them winning awards at shows throughout the country.  I love to share my skills as well, and have been teaching others the arts of quilting and fly fishing since the mid-90's.

In 1996, I became involved with Casting for Recovery, a national non-profit organization providing support to breast cancer survivors through fly fishing retreats.  I devoted most of my time between 2000 and 2007 to my full time job as Program Director of this wonderful organization.  Throughout those years, I had the opportunity to travel all over the country, to fish in some beautiful places, and introduced hundreds of women to the art and healing power of fly fishing.  While I am still involved with CFR and teaching fly fishing, in 2007, I turned my focus back to the art of quilting.

I live in rural Vermont with my husband and dog and am spending most of my time these days in my home studio. I also enjoy organic gardening and being in a band with my husband and friends.  

I am a member of Studio Art Quilt Associates, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, Trout Unlimited, and the Federation of Fly Fishers.


Exhibits & Awards

2009

"The Best Little Quilt Show in Vermont" - Invitational Show
Jamaica, VT

The Vermont Quilt Festival - Judged Show
Red Ribbon

"The Great Outdoors"
Quilts Celebrating Nature - Invitational Show
Morgan Outdoors, Livingston Manor, NY

2008

"Piecemakers: Vermont Country Quilts, 1830 - Present" - Invitational
Comtemporary Quilt of the Month - November
Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History
Middlebury, VT 

"The Great Outdoors" 2nd Annual Quilt Exhibit
Celebrating Nature with Quilts - Invitational Show
Morgan Outdoors
Livingston Manor, NY

Maple Leaf Quilters Festival  of Quilts
Rutland, VT

Quilts & Hooked Rugs - Invitational Show
Chaffee Art Center
Rutland, VT

2007

Contemporary Vermont Quilters - Invitational Show
Shelburne Museum
Shelburne, VT


Selected Exhibits & Awards from 1989 - 1999

1999

Endangered Species Exhibit - Invitational Show
New England Quilt Museum
Lowell, MA

1995-1997

Vermont Quilt Fesival Teacher's Exhibit

1995

Vermont Quilt Festival - Judged Show
Governor's Award/Exceptional Merit

Quilters Gathering - Judged Show
Honorable Mention - Machine Quilting

Textile Medium - Juried Show
Best Original Concept of Design

Quilting in the Tetons - Judged Show
First Place

1994

International Quilt Festival - Juried Show
Houston, TX
Award of Merit

1993

Vermont Quilt Festival - Judged Show
Judge's Choice

Quilters Gathering - Judged Show
First Place - Excellence in Quilting

1990

Quilters Gathering - Judged Show
Second Place - Excellence in Quilting

1989

Vermont Quilt Festival - Judged Show
Governor's Award

Quilters Gathering - Judged Show 
First Place - Excellence in Quilting