In my own papery fashion I create work ranging from the recognizably domestic such as woven potholders, quilt tops, game boards and model houses to more abstract expressions in relief or as freestanding structures. All this art represents my mission to better understand and celebrate the daily activities of living, the day to day repetition of chores and small acts that add up to a human life. Home, a place in which these presumably mundane tasks take place, is my starting point. I believe that everyday homey things warrant close observation and appreciation—for their materiality, for their usefulness, for the real possibility that joy, amusement and beauty may be found in them. There is inspiration for me in both the functional objects that are my physical culture and in fine art.

The materials in my work have a domestic presence as well: paper most of all, that most friendly and flexible material; then household, hardware and sewing supplies; and as needed small toys. What often is considered ordinary, even dispensable, has an intimacy for me that captures my imagination. Intimacy carries over into the attention to detail and scale of my work. If an idea warrants a larger presentation, I multiply the single version over and over until it reaches the needed size. No two parts look exactly alike, however; just like life, it is perhaps impossible to precisely repeat oneself. All those slightly shifting nuances—in shades of color, shadow, shape, surface, edges—are essential to my art making.

More recently I have allotted more room in my work for fantasy. After all, the love of pretend play does not necessarily end with childhood. And the sharing of made up narratives has a way of reaching out to everyone, both young and old. With so many families in today’s world being without a home, I feel compelled to speak of this universal need with compassion, respect and yes, even humor.