I have created a smaller slideshow (below) that showcases work from my graduate level textiles courses. I have provided the sketches and the final pieces for each work. These pieces are acrylic paint on fused cotton, stretched on frames and beaded. Due to the intricate nature of the beadwork and embroidery, the pieces are small- meant to be viewed closely. The smallest works are 9x12 inches and the largest is 5x15 inches. Again, the slideshow highlights my work in a variety of media and sizes, showing my journey as an artist.
There are several themes that I seem to gravitate towards. One theme in my work is the figure. I have always enjoyed portraiture and try to include figurative elements in most of my work, whether it is a face or a curvilinear line. My most recent works, shown at the beginning of the slideshow, focus on the female form. I drew much of my inspiration from my work last semester on Art Nouveau; I found myself fascinated by the images of woman and flowing hair. Another theme in my work is my obsession with texture. I strive to create texture, whether it is visual or actual texture in my works. This is evident in my love of surface embellishment such as beading, my weaving examples and even in my use of salt in my watercolors. One of my biggest inspirations right now is the work of bead-fanatic Susan Sorrell. When I visit her site and view her work I get so excited, and I hope to emulate some of her rich surfaces and textures in my own work this coming fall. Her work also inspired me to include writing within my work. I have found the journaling process to be a way to make my images even more meaningful to me.
My goals are to continue to grow in my concepts- seeking to find my voice as an artist. I remember as a young artist, always wondering when I would find my style-myself. Now, as a graduate student, I feel that I am just beginning to learn what works for me as an artist, and what aesthetic I want to pursue. Last semester I worked with female forms and embellished surfaces, losing myself in curvilinear lines and shiny beads…for this coming semester I would like to go beyond the figure and look at the lines and shapes that inspire me. I would also like to push my textures more in a smaller, more personal format. The ideas that I involve very close-cropped photos I have taken of textures from my travels. I have textures of cloth, of walls, of plants. I would like to print these images on fabric, and bead the surfaces. I anticipate more journaling on my work, both in word and through image. I have a story to tell, and I realize that I am still learning that story, and how to share it with others.