New Work NATURE and LANDSCAPES Images from nature bringing peace and harmony Click on any image for larger photo and more info   MOONLIT FOREST   ENDANGERED REEF Because of rising temperatures, our beautiful seas are in danger.  Magnificent coral reefs are getting bleached out; brilliant  colors are turning white!  The habitat of the sea turtle is being destroyed, and these elegant creatures are endangered.  I felt compelled to represent the endangered reefs and turtles in fiber. ENDANGERED TURTLE SOUTHERN LIGHTS TRIPTYCH SIMPLE PLEASURES I SIMPLE PLEASURES II COUNTING STARS I SOUTHERN LIGHTS IX COUNTING STARS II SOUTHERN LIGHTS IV SOUTHERN LIGHTS V Northern skies have the magnificence of Aurora Borealis.  Sometimes in Chicago, we get to view our own spectacular sunsets, one of which inspired the "Southern Lights" series.  SHADES OF SUMMER DAYDREAM In my "Impressionist Landscapes in Fabric" series, I have gradually moved from layering of fabric to more whole-cloth surface design and from mostly representational to more impressionistic. I start with white fabric, dye it, screen it, put color in, take color out, paint it and stitch it, allowing the piece to lead and inspire.  MORNING REVERIE MOUNTAIN VIEWS III: GENTLE PASSAGE GIVERNY REVISITED SOLITUDE REFLECTIONS ON A SUNSET - SOLD LAZY DAY SLOW DANCE AFTER THE STORM UNDERWATER FOREST SKY LIGHTS - SOLD "Mountain Views" is a series within a series, part of "Impressionist Landscapes in Fabric".  These pieces are about the view I want to see from my studio window.  Living in the Midwest, mountain scenes are hard to find.  Now these views will exist on my design walls. MOUNTAIN VIEWS I: A PLACE IN MY HEART While in Florence, I noticed that there was an abundance of graffiti. Italy’s graffiti however, was mostly not gang-related or, in any way, angry. Some of the graffiti I saw exhibited the talent of the graffiti artist. Much of it was about amore. Then we visited Pompei and saw the remains of some beautiful wall paintings. So a new series of work was born - “Ancient Messages” and “Modern Messages”. ANCIENT MESSAGES I: WALL ART POMPEI ANCIENT MESSAGES II: WALL ART POMPEI ANCIENT MESSAGES IV ANCIENT MESSAGES III: WALL ART POMPEI ANCIENT MESSAGES V: WALL ART POMPEI WEATHERED TEXT I WEATHERED TEXT II INTERESTING COLOR FOR A BLACKBIRD TURTLE CROSSING I TURTLE CROSSING III TURTLE CROSSING II SYMBOLISM OF THE TURTLE The turtle carries its home on its back; it is a symbol of self-reliance.  The turtle moves slowly as if knowing it has all the time in the world, offering new perceptions about time and our relationship to time; it is a symbol of patience and slowing down enough to become aware of and take advantage of opportunities that come into our lives.  The turtle is believed to symbolize the unity of heaven (its shell) and earth (its underside).  Turtles live both on land and in water.  To the Native Americans, the turtle was associated with the lunar cycle, the 13 sections on the markings of some turtles matching the thirteen new moons on the lunar calendar. It is a symbol of female energies. The turtle has survived for thousands of years, in many different environments, virtually unchanged from its prehistoric roots. If a turtle has shown up in your life, it may be time to get connected to your most primal essence. Go within your shell and come out when your ideas are ready to be expressed. It is time to recognize that there is an abundance out there for you. It doesn't have to be gotten quickly and immediately. Take your time and let the natural flow work for you. Too much, too soon, can upset the balance. The turtle reminds us that all we need is available to us if we approach it in the right manner and time. HAND-DYED AND SCREENED SCARVES