The combination of colors, textures and shapes one uses in piecing to tell a story appeals to the same part of me that was drawn to the combination of color, text, and imagery to communicate in my chosen profession, graphic design. The transition from paper and print to fabric and stitch was natural, as I had already learned to sew, knit and embroider from my mother as a child.

I have lived in Germany for the better part of the last eleven years, though always within the safety net of the American military community. Perhaps this living between cultures (not entirely American, but not German either) is reflected in my choice of mainly land- or cityscapes as subject matter. There is the sense of being on the outside looking in. However, the view is always welcoming. This exploration of village and communities is currently evolving towards the idea of home and setting down roots (or the inability to do so).

As a basis for interpretation, I look back to the tradition and patterns of American quilting, using such traditional patchwork as the "Nine Patch," "Log Cabin" and hexagonal arrangement "Grandmother's Flower Garden." At the same time, I am inspired by the abstract European aesthetic. I use a variety of commercial and hand dyed or hand painted fabrics, mostly, but not exclusively cotton. I love the visual texture and additional cultural depth commercially made fabrics bring to my work. Although I utilize the sewing machine for much of my work, I also find that my more recent quilts have begun to incorporate many of the hand skills my mother taught me years ago. I suppose it should not be a surprise as this sort of community work has been handed from mother to daughter, neighbor to neighbor, friend to friend, for centuries.

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