Painted Collage Tapestries

As individuals, our lives are a series of moments and events. They can be enhanced and influenced by people, time, place, family, career, pets, possessions, nature, and objects - pretty much all things. Collectively they create memories that help shape and define our existence. Now, more than ever, as the fragility of our lives becomes increasingly evident, documenting our experiences and existence becomes more important and meaningful. Most of all, I believe we would like to be remembered for having made a contribution: to leave a stamp of ourselves in the hearts of our families and friends

Iam not a portrait artist in the traditional sense, but a creator of biographical or historical tableaux that abstract and resonate and reflect a chosen theme. Created from canvas and sewn together like an heirloom quilt or tapestry, my paintings offer an alternative to the traditional avenues of photos, videos or electronic media to document individual memories or significant moments in our history.

My work begins with extensive research and/or in-person interviews. Behind the words are many emotions that come through, giving the story a context, a foundation. The details suggest images, which are then painted in oil on canvas. As I cut, arrange and stitch these pieces together into an emotional whole, I am creating a path through an individual’s life, or in the life of a community. These paintings serve as metaphors for how the souls of our lives are created out of the bits and pieces of our experiences.