Ageless and Evergreen is a series that was initially inspired by a small gift I made for a dear friend and collector, Bob Blackburn. Evergreen by Barbara Streisand is one of his favourite songs and was my inspiration. Bob and his husband, Tim Salcedo, have been a source of great fun, comfort and strength in my life. This series honours our friendship through an image of the tree, an icon I have revisited throughout my career that symbolizes stability, wellness and unity. Nature and good relationships are so wonderful as they hold the capacity to rejuvenate us. While love is timeless, our planet and relationships need enduring care.
My interest in contemporary embroidery is rooted in a long line of creative foremothers, including my great-grandmother who made bobbin lace. These forest-inspired works are seen from multiple perspectives including moss as well as the cellular dissection and full view of a lodgepole pine. These trees are known to live for over 500 years. The fibre works were embroidered by hand, often with a single thread over many quiet hours and weeks. Special memories were made as my mother and I often stitched together. Someone once asked, so here you go…the strangest place I’ve stitched is waiting for Mexican take-out in Puyallup, Washington. It travels well. The switch to embroidery was initiated as sought new, more sustainable ways to create art. My inquiry followed my Sewn Open Series where I incorporated heirloom lace into my paintings.
Below are two works from Ageless and Evergreen. Blue Grace and Purest Pleasure were selected by Jen Tough Gallery, New Mexico, to be published in Fun Size, a new art book set to be published August 2021. Tough created the book as an alternative to a group show during the pandemic. My work will be featured alongside a curated collection of other small works from various international artists. More information on the Fun Size book by Jen Tough Gallery.
I will post more works from the series later. Check back soon! 🙂
4.25″
4.25″
4.25″