A needle is my tool, thread is my medium and stitches are my marks. For over 45 years, I’ve created 3-dimensional hand-stitched artwork that is used as children’s book illustrations, social commentary and stop-motion animation. My pieces are presented as tableaus in bas-relief, much like miniature shallow stage sets, with scenery, props and characters assembled in shadow-box frames. There is a distinctive over-the-top quality to my work that has been described as “more is more.” I like to think that a combination of storytelling imagery, the use of familiar, yet intriguing materials, abundant detail, and fervent craftsmanship set it apart. My aim is to breathe life and emotion into embroidery, an art form that is often perceived as purely decorative.
