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Haiku series
This ongoing series consists of mixed media prints inspired by haiku and daily observations of my surrounding environment. I make these one-of-a kind works by hand-printing linoleum blocks on various paper surfaces to create nature-based compositions and repeating patterns. On top I overlay drawn and painted details of items that include found objects and detritus. Like many haiku poems, I limit each work to a few simple elements. I focus on a micro level to draw attention to ordinary moments that often go overlooked. Seasonal references hint at the passage of time and our relationship to nature.
Batik series
My Batik series is created by a multi-step
procedure of hand printing flora or similar objects onto paper, making rubbings
of textured surfaces, layering and scraping beeswax, applying washes of colors,
overlaying patterns and forms to define the space, and finally sewing by hand
or machine. Through this time-consuming process, history and complexity are
built up, and chance is allowed to play a role. The small scale of the
paintings, the focus on labor-intensive details, and the employment of
traditional feminine practices such as batik and embroidery encourage the
paintings to be regarded as intimate objects, and the use of thread and wax
contribute to their sense of tactility.
Contemporary feminist
artists and practitioners of traditional domestic arts inspire me equally as I
work to convert common materials, such as weeds and wax, into handmade
artifacts. My work encourages a reconsideration of what constitutes beauty and
where it can be found. |