Brackenwood Gallery - Fine Arts and Crafts from the Pacific Northwest

Artist’s Statement

I have always lived in countries with a long textile heritage. My childhood in Wales was surrounded by Welsh tapestries and coverlets. As a young adult living in Africa I dressed and decorated using the cloths of the Bemba tribe of Zambia, the Ovambo of Namibia and the Ndebele of South Africa. Later I lived in Indonesia and spent time studying the exquisite, intricate ikat, batik, sonket and geringsing cloths of this area. My work and I have been greatly influenced by living among these various cultures.

I worked as a chemist in Zambia and analyzed compounds using chromatography and spectrography. My work involved the continuous comparison and evaluation of color tones and strengths. During this time I developed my love for color and eventually an affinity for dyeing.

Coming to the Northwest in 2000 I was immediately captivated by the colors and designs found in the bark of the Madrona trees. My Shibori scarves are pleated in many directions and dyed three times in light, medium and dark shades. This gives the scarves a complex, layered effect both in texture and color. I use the colors of the Madrona bark purple, burgundy, rose, terracotta, orange and lime green with a dash of the blue of a summer sky. My other designs also come from nature and include chrysanthemums and bamboo themes.

I am now using natural dyes and pigments in my work. I use combinations of osage, logwood, cochineal , madder and lac extracts. These are grown and harvested with little or no environmental impact. I also use pigments that have been used for centuries to color and draw on caves, walls and textiles by the tribes in the various parts of the world where I have lived. I feel these dyes and pigments are safer for the environment and they give a wonderful range of naturally blending colors.

The texture I get and the resists I apply are also used by many of the cultures in the areas of the world where I have lived. This link reminds me of many of the creative and wonderful men and women I have had the pleasure to live and work with.