Paintings and basketry inspired by the desert southwest

Artist Statement

I am an independent artist, weaver, basket-maker and jewelry-maker who works out of my studio in the shadow of Thimble Peak in the Catalinas, hence my studio name, Thimble Peak Studio.

I have lived and travelled all over the world and my work reflects the influences of the many cultures and artistic traditions I have experienced.  Now making my home in the desert Southwest, and my art reflects this unique and beautiful environment.

My 2-D art is primarily composed in acrylic, although I work in charcoal and pastel.  I often use my photographs for inspiration. Still-life and figure drawing were the focus of my art in my earlier years, I have more recently become enamored of landscape paintings inspired by our beautiful desert surroundings.

I weave fiber into cloth creations using a variety of looms and techniques – 4- and 8-harness, rigid heddle and tapestry looms, inkle looms, two bead looms, tablets, and braids on a marudai or using discs. I make baskets using traditional woven reeds or by coiling pine needles, sometimes combined with gourds, flat geodes, or other natural materials. I have been experimenting with basketry inspired by our unique desert flora.  My jewelry combines braided fibers, often with beads or semi-precious stones, loom-woven beaded items and her own lost wax cast silver charms and findings. I enjoy blending my love of fiber with my love of jewelry, semi-precious stones, and beads, often embellishing my fiber items and basketry with these, and sometimes creating coordinating jewelry for the fiber items.

I started creating art as a child and always envisioned myself pursuing that career. As a school student, I won awards in local art shows. I began college as an art major, an undertaking subsequently vetoed by my parents. I followed an academic career in Chinese language and history, especially Silk Road and border studies, which took me all around the world and to various university positions. While living in the Middle East, I took up weaving under the tutelage of master weavers – one an expert in Bedouin weaving and another a master Turkish Kilim Rug weaver, and with a group of like-minded women, explored all aspects of fiber arts – felting, dyeing, spinning, rug-and tapestry weaving.  Upon my return to the United States, I resumed my academic career and only returned art full-time retirement.

In addition to being a member of the Southern Arizona Arts Guild (SAAG) juried in painting and basketry, I am an active member of the Tucson Handweavers and Spinners Guild (THSG). My woven fiber, basketry and jewelry items have been juried by that guild.