Statement:

I examine themes of decline, regeneration and bloom by collaging large, colorful fabric paintings of flora engaging the viewer in the cacophony and chaos of plant life. I use nature as a representation of the cycle of life: bloom, desiccation, rebirth. I am drawn to the discarded. I bring together incongruous fabrics with past lives: mother-in-law’s blouse, cast off sheets from Salvation Army, plastic mesh bags from garlic bulbs and brightly colored fabric samples. With my pastiche of hundreds of snippets of fabric, I explore the formal elements of landscape painting. I use nature as a metaphor as I puzzle through our shared human experience of the challenges of life. In my use of recycled clothing and of sewing construction I pay homage to the history of women patching together bits of fabric to make quilts -- I take traditional “women’s work” techniques and add collage methods creating art that intersects with craft. In my strong palette and “all over” imagery, I owe a debt to the 1970‘s “Pattern and Decoration” movement.

In my multi-stepped process I begin by identifying a special place or scene in nature that speaks to me. I then create and assemble a collection of fabrics to use in exploring this scene. Old sheets and clothing are folded-resist painted, directly painted, and printed on. I add commercial fabrics to explore printed pattern, expand my palette and vary textures. I add plastic vegetable bags, nets and sheers to help me shade and blend. I may take this collection outdoors and work on the ground or I work in the studio from photographs and sketches made at the site. I work on a large table. At a half-way point, I lightly glue the piece together so I may hang it vertically for critique and editing. After my revisions, I often print on the piece again. Once the layout is set, I machine appliqué the pieces. I then hand and machine quilt the piece. The stitching allows me to blend colors and introduce the detail of line. Sometimes I finish the piece with batting and backing, like a traditional quilt. Sometimes I install the piece on a wooden frame like a painting. My process and resulting pieces are complicated. In going through all these steps with each piece, I handle each element of my work many, many times. I feel a deep connection to each piece’s birth, growth and maturity. I feel their complexity reflects the complexity of life.

Resume:

Selected Exhibitions:
2010
Solo exhibition, Concord Art Association, Concord, MA January 7 - March 21, 2010
2009
Roddy Open Competition, Concord Art Association, Concord, MA
RED, Cambridge Art Association, Cambridge, MA
Art Gone Green, BHCC Art Gallery, Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA
Artspace Artists Members’ Exhibition, Artspace Gallery, Maynard, MA Fall 2009
Nature, Juried, Caladan Gallery, Internet, Fall 2009
Artists in the Arboretum, Juried, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, MA Fall 2009
Art Walk Store Front Windows, COOL, Lowell, MA July/Aug 2009
Fabrications, ALL Gallery, Lowell, MA, August 09
Nothing New, Juror: Steve Aimone, Textile Center, Minneapolis, MN, Summer 09
Edge, Jurors: Dana Salvo and Dawn Southworth, Artspace Gallery, Maynard, MA, Mar/April 09
Mixed Media/Fiber, Curator: Jeanne Williamson, Danforth Museum, Framingham, MA Jan/April 09
Solo Exhibition: Owen Smith Shuman Gallery, Groton Public Library, Groton, MA, April/May 09
2008
Members Prize Show, Juror: Nick Capasso, Cambridge Art Assoc, Cambridge, MA,
Craft USA, Juror: Gretchen Keyworth, Silvermine Guild Arts Center, New Canaan, CT
A Fixed Point, Curator: Ilana Manalson, Traveling Invitational, Regis College Art Gallery, Weston, MA
Art in the Round Barn, Juried Exhibition, Green Mountain Cultural Center, Waitsfield, VT
Northeast Prize Show, Juror: Nicholas Baume, Cambridge Art Association, Cambridge, MA
Surface: Layered Juried Exhibition, Coconino Community College, Flagstaff, AZ
Plant Life Juried Exhibition, Caladan Gallery, Internet
Botanical Inspirations Invitational, Owen Smith Shuman Gallery, Groton Public Library, Groton, MA
Bloom Juried exhibition, Gallery 51, Mass. College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA
Women of the Cloth Juried exhibition, Bunker Hill Community College, Boston MA
Petal Pushers Juried Exhibition, Worcester Center for Crafts, MA
Clay and Fiber Juror: Dorothy Hughes, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
2007:
Seek Alternative Roots Members Juried Exhibition, 119 Gallery, Lowell, MA
A Fixed Point: New Art from the Old North Bridge Invitational, Concord Art Assoc., MA
Members Juried II Juror: Lucy Lacoste, recipient Juror’s Award, Concord Art Association, MA

Residencies:
Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Vermont, February 2009

Commissions:
Children’s Hospital, Boston, Summer 2009
Groton Public Library, Groton, MA, 2008
Children’s Hospital, Kent Street Residence, Boston, MA Spring 2009
First Parish in Concord, MA, 2008

Publications:
Wild Apples: a journal of nature, art and inquiry, Fall 2009
100 Artists of New England, Schiffer Publishing, Spring 2010
1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse, Rockport Publishers, Fall 2009
Quilting Arts Magazine, Interweave Press, April/May 2009
Studio Visit, Open Studio Press, Juror: Carl Beltz, Fall 2008

Selected Community Projects:
North Crossing, Newton, MA (teen therapeutic residence) community wall hanging. Exhibitions: Simmons School of Social Work, Simmons College, Boston, MA; , Corporate Offices Northeast Family Institute, Danvers, MA, Massachusetts State House, Mental Health Funding Breakfast, Boston, MA. Awards: Community Spirit Award, Northeast Family Institute, currently on view North Crossing residence.

Community Interventions Program, Arlington, MA (teen therapeutic residence) community wall hanging. Exhibitions: Arlington Center for the Arts, currently on view C.I.P. residence.

Spectrum Gay Straight Alliance, Concord Carlisle High School, Concord, MA “Tiger for Human Rights” wall hanging

The Faith Quilts Project: Kerem Shalom Intergenerational Dialogue wall hanging; First Parish in Concord “Go Out Into the World” Social Action Committee wall hanging; Keystone Montessori School Immigrant Hindu Mothers Community wall hanging. Exhibitions: “Faith, Arts and Community”, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston, MA; Cloud Foundation, Boston, MA; Harvard Divinity School, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA; “Faith, Arts and Community” Peabody and Essex Museum, Salem, MA

Boston Haifa Early Childhood Connection, Self Portraits

Grants:
Massachusetts Cultural Council, Local Cultural Council grant: Concord
Massachusetts Cultural Council, Local Cultural Council grant: Groton
CCHS Parent Association for Spectrum Alliance

Professional Experience:
Founder: Artists Coaching Group
Facilitator: Artists’ Critique Group
Facilitator/Instructor: “Making Art from Life” and Artists’ Critique Group, Wright Center for Spiritual Renewal, Concord, MA
Artist Talk: Regis College, Fixed Point Exhibition
Guest Lecturer: Endicott College Expressive Therapies Program Spring 2008
Artist Talk: Botanical Inspirations, Groton Public Library, 2008
Facilitator: North Crossing Parent Support Group, 2007-2008
Guest speaker: Legislative Breakfast, State House, Boston MA, Therapeutic Community Project, 2008
Guest speaker: Northeast Family Institute, Danvers, MA, Board Meeting, Therapeutic Community Project, 2008
Panelist: Department of Mental Health staff training, Safety, Risks and Rights, 2008
Panel Moderator: Artists Talk about Fixed Point, Concord Art Assocation, Concord, MA, 2007

Professional Affiliations:
Artspace, Maynard, MA, studio resident
Cambridge Art Association, Cambridge, MA, member
Artist’s Professional Toolbox, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Fellow, Boston, MA
Surface Design Association, member
Concord Art Association, Concord, MA, member

Education/ Work Experience:
2006-present Artist, Community Artist, Facilitator
2008-present Hands-On Construction, Design Consultant
1996-2006 Principal: Merill Comeau, Architectural Interiors
2005 Instructor: De Cordova Museum Cultural Summer Camp, West African art forms
Facilitator: Girls Art Group
2001-2004 Leader/mentor: Coming of Age Program, First Parish of Concord, MA
1990-1996 Freelance Designer
1986-1990 Designer: Dean, Tucker Shaw; Boston, MA; Robert Stein + Associates, Boston, MA
Student: Boston Architectural Center, Interiors and Architecture Programs
1985-1986 Apprentice: Antique Restoration, Cabinetry Workshop, Keller Woodworks, Willis, MA
1983-1984 Director of Operations, Dance Umbrella, Cambridge, MA
1981-1983 Assistant to Director, Fundraising Associate: Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA
1978-1981 University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA: B.A. Social Theory and Political Economy
1977-1978 Dynamy Internship Program, Worcester, MA
1975-1977 Johnson State College, Johnson, Vermont

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