Welcome to my mind.

The Inside Stories works are inspired by personal experiences, of those around me, and the world at large. Some pieces address difficult subjects that deserve more visibility of the pain and inherent strength of survival, others celebrate the highs and joys of life.

Double meaning, sarcasm, humor, and simple, blunt verbiage layered with color and texture are a few of my methods of communicating. What a person may (literally or figuratively) read into my work may or may not be the intent, which is exactly the point and pleasure I find in each creation.

Texture and fiber arts as a whole, from dyeing and painting silk scarves to dyeing and re-purposing the lovingly made vintage doilies into new art forms, is so peaceful. Sometimes what was made decades or centuries ago, are simply designated as “no longer in style” and discarded. I challenge that concept and honor and collaborate with those that created before my time. I am determined to save as many vintage beauties from a fate in the dark or thrown away as possible. It warms my heart that dear friends have joined in this rescue mission and often share some of their family pieces or go on an antique store buying spree.

The other art forms, especially the abstracts, are a blessed way to remember to loosen up, have fun, process, let things go, or just breathe. These are largely the manifestation of releasing the noise, drama, stress, goals, and dreams in a foreign language that I cheerfully do not attempt to direct, decipher, nor learn. I just let it come and let it be.

When I am not creating, I am the executive director of a fabulous and dynamic nonprofit arts organization dedicated to arts and culture while also restoring the historic property built in 1876, along with wearing half a dozen other hats.

Be well.

Cheers

- A

All images of the artwork are the property of this artist and may not be used or duplicated in any way without my written permission.