ARTIST/CURATOR STATEMENT:

I am a mixed media artist who primarily uses textiles in my work.  Though contemporary in every sense, the work I do references traditional “women’s work,” slowly built up, mostly by hand, with a needle, using gentle materials – fabrics, thread, floss – in addition to more modern edgier ones such as Tyvek, metals and found objects. My work is detailed, often with reflective surfaces and tiny, rich elements, and does not always neatly fit typical categories but includes collage and heavily worked or embroidered surfaces as well as art quilts, 3D and weaving.   I choose from myriad techniques, whatever works to express my vision.

 

I love the process of making, but my work is almost always idea driven.  I work in series so that I can pursue themes of importance to me.  The 15,000-55,000 year-old cave paintings of northern Spain, southern France and Australia are the subject of one such series.  Pomegranates, which represent fecundity and come in the most amazing colors, create an additional one.  A series of about industrial detritus is made of fabrics, rusty metal and random “junk” which sparkles and intrigues.  My series Fierce Winds explores the excitement and terror of searing winds which have been exacerbated by sudden climate change.  And those have lead to a LOT of work with fire.  And Confluence, a show I curated and sent to six venues over three years, considers aspects of water: its beauty, scarcity and impact. This series includes the Pacific Gyre and was comprised of household plastics and other discards.

 

In 2019, I completed a 3-part series called Incarceration. It explores issues of imprisonment and is based in part on a visit to Alcatraz and study of a WWII POW camp in Hereford, TX, which led to the artistic development of Arturo Burri.  There are 9 quilts, 17 “cells” on stretcher bars, and a dozen 6” square embroideries called the Keys.  A collaboration (BentNeedleCollective.com) is in the works as is a new series which explores chaos due to lack of leadership. 

​

 I have completed a series of 17 figures which range in height from 1' - 7'.  Wounded Sentinels are guardians doing their best to protect us from the ravages of climate change, the devastating fires that it has lead to and the disorder of the times.  Lots more work including big, bold multi-part pieces in 3D are wall-hung but can be viewed from various angles and their shadows are an essential aspect of the work.  And the square has been working its way into the mix which seems to call out for structure and consistency.  The objective of my artwork is to awaken the mind of the viewer by means of visual seduction.

  

My curatorial approach is to collect the very best work on a clear theme and present a “ready to hang” exhibition.  These exhibits are designed to meet the stated mission of the exhibiting venue and I work closely with the venue.  I have done a great deal of publicity and bring that to the shows I curate. 

 

BACKGROUND/EDUCATION:

1968    B.A.         Costume Design, University of Hawaii

1973    M.A.        Deaf Education, California State University, Northridge

1989    M.A.        Linguistics, California State University, Long Beach

1972-1976          Taught the Deaf for Los Angeles County Special Education

1977-2006          Taught the Deaf and ESL at El Camino College, Torrance, CA

1965-85               Designed and built costumes for Shakespeare Festivals, 

                             university and community theatres

1980-1984          Producer and Artistic Director of Music in Motion, a sign  

                             language theatre troupe which performed extensively  

                             throughout California

2001-2006          Established and was president of Yellow Fox Foundation,

                             which made grants internationally to artists and humanitarians.

2006-present      Full-time studio artist, exhibit curator and art teacher

​

REPRESENTED by  Glenn C.  2573 Pacific Coast Highway Torrance, CA 90505  310 325-6777

​

TEACHES a wide variety of art techniques at FiberFly Studios in the Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA.  and across the US

             Contact at FiberFly@icloud.com

 

AFFILIATIONS:

Art Cloth Network, 2010-present (publicity)

Bent Needle Collective

OzQuilt Network Australia 2011- present

Quilts on the Wall, 2002-present

San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles 2011-present

Studio Art Quilt Associates, 2002-present 

Surface Design Association, 2002-present (So.CA and HI regional rep, 2010)

Textile Arts Los Angeles 2017-present

Visions Museum of Textile Art, 2006-present