Commissioned table runner. Client has a white stone tabletop. Finished runner eight and a half feet plus fringe. 

I am creating this body of work in preparation for a display at our public library in October. This piece is comprised of multiple cotton crochet balls of white variations. It is over 5 yards long (to be cut into multiple pieces) and over 1500 threads. I love the subtle nature of the value shift. It is mind blowing the level of uncertainty in these days. With the uncertainty of the times, events as far away from us (months) now are in question. I am thankful for the opportunity to work in my studio. I am grateful that 3/4 of my commitments vanished from my calendar and I can choose to use that time wisely. It's been a challenge to stay sane, focused, and positive. This situation has becomes nothing more than psychological warfare for the most "normal" of the human race. The trouble is no one knows the enemy. Life for us has become "One Day at a Time". I was having trouble finding even the time to breathe in my pre-quarantine schedule. I was(still am) managing a family of six while teaching three art classrooms, serving as the PTO president, taking college classes, working internships, and public school practicum. I am in gratitude for the opportunity to work in neutral territory. I do not have the answers and I will not be the fool claiming I do. I choose to move with grace and humility in the calm of my studio and I vow (to the best of my ability) to remain neutral. This piece in which I have been meditating on it forming with the title Natural Selection​ in mind.

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. 

So as dates go recently, the restrictions to be safe at home, to leave and be social have moved yet again from April 24th to April 30th. I'm coasting through March, April, and quite possibly May.. I have half of my unsustainable schedule eliminated and the looms I've had threaded for a few months are calling my name. I am still balancing now online coursework for my 2nd degree in Art Education, yet the field studies and internships have been cancelled. I do appreciate the freed up schedule and even did yoga today. I am not going to say that I am not feeling the weird vibe that is going through the universe, it's a tremendous struggle to stay focused and calm. It's just one day at a time.

A little over a month ago I started weaving a striped piece. I was weaving with thread and an inch took too long for me. I loved the look however, tonight when I finally was free of homework (my first semester back in college) I decided the warp was coming off and to start another landscape. After many months of functional production, a month of school, every time I thought of weaving with monotony I'd turn right back out of the studio. I've secretly made a pact with myself. I need to uphold a studio practice. These stripes, although striking, were holding me back. Life's too short. I've saved it and may revisit if the feeling moves me so. As I worked tonight, I listened to Bjork. Emotional landscapes they pass over me. Here's to another exciting year.

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.  

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.