34″W X 32″hSilk – hand dyed, screen and digital print and embroidered One of Billie Holiday’s last appearances was at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival, where she performed many of her classics, including “Willow Weep for Me”. Detail image
Simple Inspiration
At times I create art simply because the images encountered in the course of daily life call for it. Not long ago I came across a wonderful article on "Hobo Symbols" that reminded me of my Dad who, as a young man, "rode the rails". The sense of journey carries through in pieces such as "Steal Away". Wellness, healing, weather or other ideas may generate a piece and sometimes I do a piece just because I want to do it.
The Cuckoo is a Pretty Bird – Appalachian Songbook Series
27″w X 33″HHemp – hand dyed, screen printed and embroidered This folk-lyric song dates back to 13th century Britain, possibly the oldest English lyric song with continued popularity to modern times. The cuckoo bird is an ancient symbol for the coming of summer as well as a classical symbol of fickleness. A “cuckold” in early […]
Rosemary and Thyme (The Elfin Knight) – Appalachian Songbook Series
27″W X 33″HHemp – hand dyed, screen printed and embroidered This ballad dates from the 17th century and follows a popular English folk tale pattern of “riddling”. In these songs and tales, riddles are used as a form of confrontation between lovers or between the devil and an individual. Here, an elf threatens to kidnap […]
The Cherry Tree Carol – Appalachian Songbook Series
27″W X 33″HHemp – hand dyed, screen printed and embroidered The Cherry Tree Carol is a ballad that can be found in a British song book in Britain from the 17th century but was known to have been sung at the feast of Corpus Christi in the early 15th century. Unusual for mountain folk tunes, […]
Burden Bag
Silk – off loom weaving mounted on silk background, embroidered and embellished with wood and beads 24″W X 36″H Native American Indians place a “Burden Bag” outside the entrance to the home, allowing visitors to place their worries in the bag before entering and enjoying time with the family.
Dream Catching Bag
Silk – off loom weaving mounted on quilted silk background, embroidered and embellished 14″W X 30″H Australian Aboriginal people carried bags in which to place their dreams.
Hunting Dilly Bag
Silk – off loom weaving mounted on quilted silk background, embroidered and embellished 14″W X 30″H
Storm
Silk – Screened, embroidered and embellished 12″W X 16″H Detail image
Harvest Sunrise
Silk – hand dyed, screened, embroidered and embellished 18″W X 16″H Detail image
Steal Away
Silk – hand dyed, screened, embroidered 27″W X 32″H Living, as I do, on the Mason Dixon Line, I am very conscious of the history of the Underground Railroad, including elements such as the Louisville Times classified ad included in this piece offering a reward for the return of a runaway slave. Detail image
Calendar
Silk – Screened, embroidered and embellished 12″W X 16″H Detail image
Kentucky Barn 1
Silk – hand dyed, appliquéd, embroidered 38″W X 34″H Detail image
Kentucky Barn 2
Silk – hand dyed, appliquéd, embroidered 38″W X 34″H Detail image
Hobo Sign – Kind Woman Lives Here
Silk – hand screened, embroidered, embellished 12″W X 12″H Depression era hobos, travelling the rails, left signs for those following warning of danger or reporting possible good information.
Hobo Sign – Man With a Gun
Silk – hand screened, embroidered, embellished 12″W X 12″H Depression era hobos, travelling the rails, left signs for those following warning of danger or reporting possible good information.
Hobo Sign – Mean Dog
Silk – hand screened, embroidered, embellished 12″W X 12″H Depression era hobos, travelling the rails, left signs for those following warning of danger or reporting possible good information.
Hobo Sign – Work for Food
Silk – hand screened, embroidered, embellished 12″W X 12″H Depression era hobos, travelling the rails, left signs for those following warning of danger or reporting possible good information.
Amulet
Silk – hand dyed, screened, embroidered, embellished 14″W X 14″H Many cultures use the fish image as an amulet or talisman to ward off evil and harm or to bring good fortune and protection.
Cleanse My Soul
Silk – hand dyed, appliquéd, embroidered and embellished with beads 16″W X 41″H Based on a petroglyph image, the figure represents an individual standing on a shoreline anticipating a ritual washing. Detail image
Promise of Rain
Silk – hand dyed, screened, embroidered 22W X 25″H Detail image
