I work with fabric and paint to create portraits of spaces.
The inspiration for my work comes from both the intimacy of home and the colors I find outside of it. The building blocks of my compositions are cottons, silks, and linens. I paint these fabrics to create a palette of texture and color, which I then cut and layer to create a portrait of a place. As I sew them together, the thread becomes a drawing that secures the fabric in place and anchors each composition.
I grew up in the islands and have always been attracted to light and color. Some of my earliest memories are of sea grapes, palm trees, and vibrant tropical houses. These bright colors from my memory come through in my work. Later, in New York City, I began my adult life working at The Cloisters, the medieval branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The chaotic energy of the city and the contemplative art of The Cloisters became another source of inspiration for me.
I discovered quilting in North Carolina almost two decades ago. It has been meaningful to be part of an artistic tradition built on community; hands working together to create. It is through the support of community that I have found my own artistic voice.