Group Fiber Art Exhibit. 
Fallen 2019-2022
Cotton Embroidery thread, handkerchief, hand dyed cotton

This weekend I was winding warp for the next piece to be woven on my loom. I am revisiting a reoccurring theme of white fading into cream. I have been able to thrift and find a variety of cotton crochet yarn that translates well to the value shift within whites to cream, ecru. I do like the subtle and soft quality this warp brings, offering time to meditate during the making process. There are over 1500 thread to be threaded through the loom, the largest amount thus far. I needed to order more heddles to continue the project. "How Scandinavian of me.."

This woven piece was planned in February. One of the blessings of the world wide lock down for me was a freed up schedule, and has allowed me to work on some art pieces. Landscapes are a place I meditate, concerned mostly with color blending. It's a nice place to be when the noise of the universe murmurs discord, disharmony, and an edginess. I find comfort in my little corner of the world with this #landscapestudy

Last year I had completed a landscape weaving on Palm Sunday. I am a little ahead of schedule this year, I had just completed another series of landscapes. I took the opportunity during social distancing to use the sanctuary again for the backdrop. So blessed to have a large open space to use for photographing work. 

In the spring of 2019 I created yardage for a number of pieces. The woven fabric was used to create landscapes on stretchers. Greener pastures is the title of the pieces. The yardage was finished on Palm Sunday, so it was fitting to photograph the work in the church. 

Stripes adorn the loom of choice for my art work. I am weaving a long warp of stripes to be used in future work.  

Last year I created a body of work that consisted of thirty pieces of work in thirty days, six inches each (which makes thirty inches square). Based on a juried show in Milwaukee, I found following this exercise last year allowed me to practice flexibility in the creative process and challenge myself in ways I normally don't. It was very helpful in a personal journey. Last year I focused on the book of Matthew, and this year Mark. It's become part study, part meditation, and part exploration. I am finding some really great imagery, great concepts, stuff that just makes sense, and stuff that seems like a mystery, or worse, riddle.. When I started the process last year I did not know that this would be the inspiration that would light a fire, or be the basis of my structure. Here's to 30x30x30 in 2020. 

Day 1 :: Mark 4:20 others like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop, thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what is sown.

Day 2 :: Mark 4:17 but since they have no root, they last only a short time

Day 3 :: Mark 4:29 as soon as the grain is ripe, he puts a sickle to it, because the harvest has come. 

Day 4 :: Mark 6:39 Green Grass

Day 5 :: Mark 5:34 Daughter your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be healed from your suffering.

Day 6 ::Mark 13:36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone; "Watch!"

Day 7 :: Mark 4:24 With the measure you use it will be measured to you and even more. Whoever has been given more will be given more; who ever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

Day 8 :: Mark 4:27 Night and Day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how, All by itself the soil produces grain

​Day 11 :: Mark 1:10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove

​Day 12 :: Mark 15:17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him

​Day 13 :: Mark 4:1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge

​Day 16 :: Mark 1:3 a voice of one calling in the desert

​Day 17 :: Mark 4:41 Even the wind and the waves obey him

​Day 18 :: Mark 2:21 No on sews a patch of unshrunk cloth to an old garment.

​Day 19 :: Mark 7:8 You have the commands of God and you are holding on to the traditions of men

Day 20 :: Mark 6:11 if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them

Day 21 :: Mark 9:43 to go into hell, where the fire never goes out

Day 22 :: Mark 3:5 he looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts

Day 23 :: Mark 6:19 so Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him... 6:27 The man went, beheaded John in prison, and brought back his head on a platter

Day 24 :: Mark 2:17 It s not the healthy who needs a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners

Day 25 :: Mark 7:6 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men

Day 26 :: Mark 9:50 Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other

Day 27 :: Mark 9:13 Everything they wished

Day 28 :: Mark 4:30 It is like a mustard seed you plant in the ground. But when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in it's shade

Day 29 :: Mark 6:8 still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times

Day 30 :: Mark 4:28 first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel of the head

Last year, in January I started a personal challenge, thirty pieces of work in thirty days. Each piece was six inches square. As certain words would enter my mind, I would search for a bible passage of that particular phrase and relate it to the work of that day. What was appearing on my search was the book of Matthew, so I stayed with the book of Matthew for the 30x30 of 2019. 

A little history of me, I was not raised "churched". I was never against, nor had bad experiences with religion. I am surrounded in marriage, in vocation, in life by people who are. I also have many friends that have been hurt by experiences in life surrounding religion either in institution or in self righteous personalities. I am open and willing and learning is one of my callings. I seek knowledge and this is a personal way I can study the bible and relate it to me, to my work. Sketches of what I can take away from my personal bible study.

So in 2020 I am going to dive into the book of Mark. I like doing this exercise because it causes me to meditate, practice stretching creative thought, use my other gifts screen printing, drawing, sculptural construction, sewing, stitching, and research. Yesterday, I screen printed roots, and wheat images that were coming to me in the Parable of the sower. I am hopeful for the project this year and look forward to sharing the progress with you.

This year has involved many changes, much growth, and production of a large amount of work. In January I created a 30x30 body of work. Thirty pieces of work in thirty days, six inches square. The series was based on the book of Matthew in the Bible. It was enlightening and caused me to reflect on where I had been and where I was going in life. It was a great practice and discipline and set the stage for the production to come. 

In March after much consideration my family and I chose to purchase a new-to-us vehicle. It turned out to not be the best decision, and encouraged me to consider entering a juried fine art sale. I applied in April and was accepted in July. Production of scarves, rugs, runners, and blanket/throws, were in full swing. In addition to the sale, I was hired to teach art for k-8th grades starting with the upper grades in February, adding all the in the fall of 2019. In tandem I was creating and teaching the remainder of this year. It has been a fruitful year in both creating and sharing my passion, skill, knowledge. 

Exciting news! I have been accepted to UW Stout and have begun the process of finishing out my post baccalaureate certification for teaching Art. I began the process over 15 years ago, but rearing four wonderful children became the focus. I plan to finish out the school year cooking lunch and teaching as I have been, weaving and doing another 30x30 challenge, and starting the courses I will need to be certified. It's an exciting time. Pictured is one of the rugs I am currently weaving on the loom, the next project will be more art based, focusing on creative rather than function. I love the variety of what I can do. It is often demanding however, I embrace the gift I have been given.