FORMATIONS

Patterned sandstone reveals the wave motion of the waters of an extinct ancient lake. The accumulation of sediments through time in a body of water produces sedimentary rock. Pedestals of dried clay and crevices within a flood plain reveal the receding and drying of a river’s water. Residue from a puddle documents time of evaporation after rain. I am enthralled by natural beauty resulting from the effects of time and water in the formation of landscape. I realize that in our earthy design we (all life) are connected by water.

Utilizing diluted pigments suspended in water, I’ve experimented with filtration and absorption, paper serving as a filter and fabric as the absorbent substrate. Often the process is much like chromatography. Saturated cotton muslin or silk organza dries slowly; consequently, the marks left behind record the process of evaporation, movement of the aqueous solution, and the accretion of pigment. These marks speak about time and are akin to patterns found in nature that are resultant of earth shaped by water. The process is fascinating and contains notes of science brought forth by experimentation, search, and discovery.

I’ve found the interaction between fabrics intoxicating. The combination of fabrics is rich with potential discovery. A filtered-dyed organza fabric might exhibit a very subtle hue, yet when another fabric is layered underneath, the hue is enhanced. The search for natural patterns within my fabrics that lead to art pieces is a thrilling quest.