New Inspiration

There's nothing like working with a bunch of artists to get inspired to create more and more wearble art.  The best thing one teacher ever said to a class was that we were prolific.  We are I thought?  I then  decided to get busy.  The second best thing I ever heard was from a man who worked in a factory.  "The way to produce results is to work to fill trams," he said, "not to finish a piece."  That meant there would  always be silk prepared to be wrapped, wrapped silk to be painted, and painted silk to be sewn. 

Art comes in many forms

To be worn, gazed upon or heard.  Shibori silk head wrap, raw silk duster, music by Larry Vogt, performed at Cross Gate Gallery, Lexington, KY

Sunset Alpaca and Merino Vest, Sold

Handfelted and shibori dyed. Now it's time to make another.  Also time to pretend it's spring and start walking the dogs three times a day.  I need that exercise!

Merino and Alpaca and Locks

I admit it.  I can't stop touching this piece or looking at it.  Now to take it to another level is the challenge.

Hiking for Color

For me, it’s all about color. After using the Shibori technique of manipulating fabric by wrapping it around a pole or rope, I always place at least three colors, or shades of one color of dye on the cloth.  The fabric resists the dye and creates a pattern.  Many of my wearable art designs consist of several strips of hand dyed fabric which have been torn and serged before sewing them together. Through this process I frequently recover memories contained in the 5/8” seam allowance I learned when my mother taught me to sew. In her own way she also taught me that the art is in the ironing.  

Some of my newest designs are created by felting alpaca and merino wool to silk before Shibori dyeing the fabric. It is my intention that My Truly Wearable art has a performative quality.  When you wear it, not only are you only one hand away from the artist, you become the art.

Currently I live in a cabin in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, hike the mountain and try to figure out how to formulate the colors I see around me.