ARTIST STATEMENT

In the summer of 2006, the building began. The back of our house was torn off and new rooms were built. In order to complete this project, it was necessary that some of the trees in our yard be cut down. It was then that I realized how we felt about those trees. They had grown precious to us, and losing them was like losing an old friend. After the deed was done, we made a conscious decision to not waste the wood that came from these trees. We chose to incorporate it into our lives.

The boards from an enormous Katalpa tree will soon be made into a piece of furniture for our newly remodeled home.

A tree called a "Walking Stick," which was originally planted when my son was born, was transplanted instead of being tossed aside.

A Choke Cherry Tree proved to be the wood that inspired the first tree skirt. The wood was so beautiful that I brought it into my studio, peeled off the bark and was inspired to work with it.

The Tree Skirt Series…

This ongoing series of sculptures celebrates the beauty of the natural world and expresses my concerns for our dwindling natural resources, especially the trees.

Each artwork begins with inspiration derived from a specific piece of found wood. I am discovering this wood in piles destined for the wood stove, or wastefully abandoned by the side of the road. When these ordinary pieces of wood are viewed more closely, their individuality and inherent beauty becomes evident. I have done very little to alter the wood in any way in order to let the viewer appreciate the wood in its natural state. To entice the viewer, and provide clues to the meaning behind each sculpture, I have added textile "skirts."

I have always had a passion for textiles and embrace the opportunity to revive and experiment with lesser-known textile techniques. I thrive on the richness of color and texture achieved while working with wool, dye and thread.

I envision at least twelve sculptures in this series to be presented together as an installation. It is my desire to deepen our appreciation for all that surrounds us, especially the trees.