ARTIST STATEMENT

From a very young age I remember drawing pictures of horses whenever I had the opportunity. I feel fortunate to have found rug hooking and the medium of working with wool to express my creative passion. I have always been drawn to animals. Bringing an animal to life utilizing wool has allowed me to transfer that creative spark that began with pencil on paper. There is such inspiration and joy to see the personality of an animal take shape on my foundation cloth. 

I have been fortunate to have had the support and friendship of many rug hooking artists who have generously guided me on my journey. One artist in particular, Judy Carter opened my eyes to the possibility of incorporating off the bolt, textured wools into my animal portraits to generate an additional level of realism. Her friendship and mentorship is something many others, as well as myself miss and mourn in her passing. I am hopeful that by incorporating this technique she was so well known for into my rugs, I can serve to keep her influence alive. 

I find the repetitive motion of pulling up hand-dyed wool strips to create loops a meditative process and watching those loops interact to form an image is truly magical.  

I recently began the journey of passing along what I've been so blessed to learn from others through classes and workshops.  I have discovered that there is a true joy that can be found in sharing this artform with others along this journey.