After years of creating artwork in my Field Studies series, and several years coordinating with the museum, my solo exhibition at Visions Museum of Textile Art in San Diego, California is finally on display. Field Studies: Interpreting the West includes fourteen artworks and is up through Dec. 30, 2023.

Started in 2015, the series features abstract landscape textile artworks inspired by specific locations in the western United States.

From my artist statement:

“Nature is the dominate feature in the Field Studies series and shows the variety of color and geological elements the western states hold. There are no man made structures depicted in the work. I wanted to focus on those places that are undisturbed by humans, to remind the viewer of the beauty and importance of nature and encourage them to want to preserve our wonderful national parks, wildlife preserves and natural areas whose protections are currently in question. Nature is very important to our well being.”

I was happy to be able to fly to San Diego for the opening and to teach a two day workshop. I want to thank the Idaho Commission on the Arts for providing me a grant to help with covering the costs of shipping my art to the museum and for me to travel there.

The museum’s biennial Interpretations group exhibition opened at the same time as my solo exhibition at Visions Museum of Textile Arts. Many of those artists also traveled to San Diego for the opening. It was nice to see people I had met before, as well as make new acquaintances.

There was a preview night with awards announcements. Then, the next day we had gallery talks in the morning and a dinner for the artists in the evening. After that, I taught my two day Abstracting from Reality workshop.

I appreciate a comment one of the staff at the museum made. She said that they liked going into the gallery displaying my exhibition for a break during the day because it made them feel calm. It makes me happy to hear this. Nature is my calming place and by translating it in my artwork, I hope to pass that feeling on.

The Visions Museum of Textile Art is located at Liberty Station in San Diego, CA. My exhibition will be up through Dec. 30, 2023.