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Roll Out the Green Carpet
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Cloudland Canyon Scarf - Silkography Series
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Mimetism
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Tennessee River Gorge - Silkography Series
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Weaving Winds Lantern Collection
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Little River Canyon - Silkography Series
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Lofty Canopy (26 in x 20 in)
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Anchored
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ARTIST STATEMENT

I’m a silk painting artist from Northwest Georgia in the United States. Bringing out the natural shine of raw silk, my brushes reveal visions of our environment and connection to the natural world. Recurrent themes such as sustained motion, resilience, wholeness and unity in nature find their way on hand-painted silk, which becomes a vehicle for strong, thought-provoking images and metaphors.

The new Silkography series is a heartfelt tribute to land. In this series, hand-painted silk pieces manifest how deep human connection to land proves to be critical to well-being. Featuring and interpreting topography, Silkographies make meaningful use of silk painting gutta lines to honor the beauty and characteristics of specific areas of our planet.

Silkographies take their source from three key principles of topography. First and foremost, topography shows and knows no borders. Secondly, it joins points of same altitude and revolves around connecting these points. Finally, topography outlines evenness within jaggedness. Through visual impact and metaphor, Silkographies seek to adopt a bird’s-eye view to reveal how land and environmental issues may bring communities together.

My silk pieces deliberately show unison among elements of our natural environment through color, texture and lighting. Whether my images feature trees, land or landscape, I wish to share balanced images of change and for the result to induce feelings of equilibrium. I aim to bring the outdoors into homes, so that our origins and our roots are remembered.

I start with a white piece of Habutai silk and stretch it on a frame to create a canvas. After minimal sketching on paper to establish the intended theme of a piece, I draw gutta lines on the stretched silk. Gutta is a type of glue made to be used on silk to define a design and limit the spreading of ink on the fabric. Such dispersion of the ink can be used in some areas to create interesting gradients and texture, or stopped to outline shapes. This water-resist technique is very dynamic at times and requires planning and adaptation.

Once the painting stage is completed, the piece of silk comes off the frame and goes through a steaming process that sets the colors so they are safe if they come in contact with moisture. After this final process the painted silk can find purpose in a frame, a lantern, scarf or special project. My lanterns have been said to bring joy and comfort into homes.