Despite the age-old controversy between art and craft, I consider myself an artisan/craftsperson first and an artist second. I'm a maker, dependent on the use of my hands and heart to feel accomplishment in creating. I work with yarn to create textiles that reflect the textures and colors of their components. I also work with white/blank textiles in a technique called shibori to develop patterns, create textures and layer colors using natural dyes.

Pattern, texture and color are the common elements in my work. This is definitely the case in woven textiles where the complexity of pattern is enhanced by choice of colors while the structure of woven cloth contributes to its texture. My knitted textiles owe their texture and color to the varied yarns that are combined in each piece. By stitching or folding and clamping white/blank textiles, I create pattern and texture. By then immersing them into sequential natural dye baths, I layer and build color as if I were working with watercolors. Natural dyes reflect the beauty of nature where all colors coexist in harmony.

Creating textiles requires attention to visual effects (pattern and color) and tactile effects -- how does the textile feel to the hand, how does it lie on the body and what message does that convey to the wearer.

My first goal is to master my craft whether it's weaving or knitting or shibori. Once I am confident in the quality of my craftsmanship, I am free to explore pattern, texture and color -- individually and most importantly, their interactions -- to make my own artistic statements.