All Eyes on Gracie
27” x 33”
Photographer: Hoddick Photography
Equal value, different shades
29 x 27
Techniques: Raw edge fused appliqué, machine quilting
Materials: Commercial fabrics
Artist Statement:
Oregon has an ugly history of racism. “Equal value, different shades” is an aspirational piece inspired by the Branstrom Family which embraces colorful diversity. Brillig and Amani are depicted in shades of grey. Racism is a separation based on skin shade. Can seeing people in greyscale smooth the Edge of racism?
Photographer: Hoddick Photography
Equal value, different shades - Detail
Ray
15 x 20
Techniques: Raw edge fused appliqué, hand embroidery, machine quilting
Materials: Commercial fabrics, embroidery floss
Artist Statement:
Ray was a commission from a dear friend in Ohio. I have many wonderful memories of my years in Ohio and summers at Chautauqua with the Kolcabas! Ray challenged me. I had never been faced with a modern fashion “beard, but not really a beard.” Fabric wouldn’t capture it, so I had to learn how to stitch the beard effect.
Photographer: Hoddick Photography
Ray - Detail
Double-Shot Cappuccino
28 x 22
Techniques: Raw edge fused appliqué, machine quilting
Materials: Commercial fabrics
Artist Statement:
While we were packing our parents to move from the family home in Fortuna, CA, my sister, Melanie, and brother, Richard, and I had a rare chance to hang out with Mom and Dad and chat and remember the old times growing up on Cypress Loop. I had my camera and caught this image of Richard.
Waiting
38 x 23
Techniques: Raw edge fused appliqué, machine quilting
Materials: Commercial fabrics
Artist Statement:
Believe it or not, this is a quilt of a pregnant nude. I assured my daughter that no one would recognize her, but I am told I betrayed that trust. Fortunately, pansy based skin provided the required level of modesty.
Yellow Rose of Texas
58 x 32
Techniques: Raw edge fused appliqué, hand and machine quilting
Materials: Commercial fabrics
Artist Statement:
My mother, Margaret Walker Rodrigue, was a Texan until the day she died, despite marrying a Californian during WWII and being transported to California at age 23. I never had the courage to do a portrait of Mom during her lifetime because I feared she would not appreciate it, but after she passed it became part of my grieving process. Her face is based upon her high school senior picture. The remainder depicts things she loved.
Photographer: Hoddick Photography
Yellow Rose of Texas - Detail
Bridge: Traversing a Long Marriage
41” x 32”
Techniques: Raw edge, fused machine applique. Photo-transfer. Hand embroidery.
Materials: Commercial fabrics and threads
Artist Statement:
As far back as I can remember, my mom and dad have been crazy about Bridge. Dad loved the competition of Duplicate Bridge, while Mom enjoyed a social life that included several "party bridge" groups. One night a week we would rush through an early dinner, so Dad could to "get to Bridge." He loved it and he was good at it. Mom focused on having beautiful Bridge tally cards, a delicious dessert and her home adorned with beautiful flowers. When they moved to assisted living in their late 80's, availability of Bridge players was a major criteria for finding a place. Mom and Dad would get a kick out of seeing that the Bridge hand is a 4 No Trump bid! This artwork depicts a Bridge hand overlaying images of my parents from the time of their engagement to a last image of Dad on his death bed with Mom in her wheelchair comforting him . . . traversing a marriage of nearly 73 years.
Bridge: Traversing a Long Marriage - Detail