I started my art career doing jewelry. I had beads and card stock all jumbled together on my desk. I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to sew those pieces together. Before I knew it, I was making a bowl. Wow, was that cool! I was off and running, making bowls from a variety of materials. A jellyfish is an upside down bowl with tentacles. My Marine Biology comes in here. I still enjoy how they come together from flat pieces.
Milk cartons/wire/ beads
I finally found a use for my Marine Biology degree and created a family of Cnidarians.
Velum
5in. wide x 6in. long x 4in. tall
Computer Board/Resisters
Something for the techno geeks in my family, because we seem to go through high-tech gadgets at an alarming rate.
Tabs from tea bags
Crown Royal Box
Logitech Keyboard Box
Paper/Thread/Beads
The paper is made with ash from Mt. Vesuvius and then burned. The green beads inside represents the regrowth after a natural disaster, like a fire or a volcanic eruption.
Tape/Thread
This started off as an experiment with everyday things
I had in excess. It ended up looking like a badminton birdie.
Aluminum/Bolts/Wing nuts/Bicycle inner tube/cording
I love the hardware store and playing with metal. Who knew that plasma torches will not only cut through metal but also the concrete porch beneath.
Restaurant Menu
Just a crazy idea that hit me over brunch at a local restaurant.
After creating several bowls, I wanted to make something bigger. I went on to making clothing, which was sort of a jump backwards for me. I have always sewn, so going back to making clothes was easy. It was making the fabric out of unusual materials that was the challenge, but I enjoy challenges of going in a new direction. This is when working with discarded items really took hold. I was going to make the Kimono out of craft paper, but quickly discovered it was not going to hold the full weight of the garment. So I started looking around for something that would hold up and that I could find sufficient supply of that material. I had two boys, and their friends, who were drinking LOTS of milk, generating LOTS of empty milk jugs. It also solved the problem of less plastic in the landfills and oceans. A win/win. It made my science heart happy and solved my creative problem all at the same time.
Living a few blocks from a large park and having an avid cyclist for a husband, gave me the idea to use bicycle inner tubes for my next clothing piece, the swing coat.
Milk cartons/2 liter plastic pop bottles/Headpins/Beads
It required 900 milk cartons and about 10,000 one inch squares all hand cut and wired together. I like the simplicity and complexity of the Japanese arts.
Detail | Front View
While I was making the swing coat, I was asked to do a show in a college library. I accepted after I looked at the space. Up until this point, I had only made 3 D art. There was a lot of wall space, so I asked who I was doing the show with and the gentleman replied “Oh Honey it’s all about you!” Oh my! This was a more difficult transition as my brain does not work 2-dimensionally as well as it does 3-dimensionally. So my first pieces were more chunky and relied more on quilt designs.
With continued experimentation and influences from many sources, the creation process for these larger pieces has evolved from using small discarded items (White, Final Frontier and Momentos) to using pieces of larger items (VCR tape in Wheelies and old photographic slides in Film Noir).
Maps and chip bags
25w x 31h in.
Cereal Box and craft paper
40.8w x 35h in.
Shopping bag, wrapper for a plant, chocolate bag
20.5w x 39h in.
Sold
Detail
Slides and film
19w x 40h in.
Sold
A stamp inspired by the Air force memorial in Washington DC.
Stamps and envelopes
25.75w x 36h in.
VCR tape and wrapping paper
36w x 38h in.
Tea wrappers, wrapping paper, yogurt lids
30w x 32h in.
Sold
Detail
Black VCR tape, grocery bag, tea wrappers, coffee bag
23w x 54h in.
This piece is about child hood and all the things that remind of being a kid. Cereal box, packaging and found objects
49.5w x 34.5h in
Space! Whats not to like. I enjoyed how the color pops on the black.
Cereal box, packaging and found objects.
47w x 29h in.
Guitar strings and projector parts
32w x 15.25h in.
Sold
I was doing solid colors and an amazing amount of silver things showed up so it seemed like the next logical conclusion.
Cereal box, packaging and found objects.
43.5w x 29h in.
Cereal Box, packaging and found objects
37w x 37h in.
This piece started the solid color pieces. I have wanted to do a white on white quilt for a long time. This was my answer to that desire.
Cereal box, packaging and found objects.
26w x 32h in.
Detail
Cereal box
28w x 38.25h in.
Sold
My first love is quilting. I enjoy making the patterns out of unusual items.
Grocery store gift cards
25w x 25h in.
I got stuck at one point in my art and I knew it was better to keep working. So I tried different approaches to see what would break me out of it. Stars and Bars, Fizz and Sunday came out of this period. My science background also got in the game here. I was taking pictures of ice, lichen and tree bark which resulted in Ice Rose, Lichen and White Paper Birch. Around this time, I was showing in a local church that had some fantastic stain glass windows. Creating several pieces like Rose Window strengthened my new direction of sewing pieces cut from larger items together to create an entirely unique look.
Each piece is 8 in. x 8 in.
Chocolate wrappers, yogurt lids, mylar and chip bags
This piece has a removable pin/pendent that can be worn.
Coffee bags, rice bag, mailer and packing material
Coffee bag, chip bags and a silver and turquoise box
Candy bag, Styrofoam, weed barrier, wine foil and tea wrapper
Chip bags
Gift bag, chip bag, dog food bag and tea box
Coffee bags
Chip Bags
Wrapping paper, Chinese food box and chocolate wrapper
Chocolate wrapper, mylar, envelopes and day planner
Gift box, chocolate wrapper, liquor box and craft paper
Coffee bag, chip bag, chocolate chip bag and gift bag
Gift bag, chip bag and craft paper
Day planner, tea box, mylar and craft paper
Coffee bag, wrapping paper, wedding paper and chip bag
Coffee bags and craft paper
Coffee bags
Stamps and chip bags
Coffee bag, chip bag, tea box and foil box
Chip bag, foil box, gift bag and craft paper
Chip bag, toothpaste box, mylar and gum wrapper
Foil box, mylar, chip bag and coffee bag
Wrapping paper, chocolate foil, vitamin packaging and craft paper
Chocolate wrapper, mylar, day planner and envelopes
Checks and advertisement flyer
Craft paper and envelopes
Coffee bags, chip bags, mylar, envelopes and chocolate wrapper
Map and chip bag
Stamp envelope
Chip bag
Beer labels
Styrofoam
Scratch tickets and Cutie handle
Tea wrapper and chocolate wrapper
Tea wrapper and wedding crane paper
Tea packaging, envelopes, tootsie roll wrappers and photos
Envelopes and tea boxes
Tea Boxes and Chocolate wrappers
Tea box, Styrofoam and photos
Edges of Slides
Denture cleaner packaging
Double sided tape back and puzzle pieces
Slides and film
Blue prints and wall paper
RTD passes and twist ties
These are the culmination of many of the things I have tried in small 2D. I love the National Parks and when I saw some of the park posters, I knew I had to create them out of my medium. This is where it all comes together - my sewing, quilting and recycled art. Now I look for pieces of trash, like I would fabric for my quilts, for the color or texture I need to create this picture. This is why I have started calling myself a “Trash Quilter”
All of my creations have been possible because of generous donations from friends and followers that keep me in art supplies of a variety of colors.
Each piece is 8 in. x 8 in.
Chip bags, calendars, folder, magazines and reusable baggie
Coffee bags, chip bags, bread wrapper and calendar
Chip bags, bank mailers, frozen food bag, dog food bag and envelopes
Mailers, bread wrapper, chip bags, envelopes and tissue paper
Coffee bags, folder, mailers, chip bags and envelopes
Bread wrapper, chip bags, pasta bag, magazines and mailers
Folder, mailers, coffee bag, advertisements, dog food bag and envelopes
Coffee bags, chip bags, calendar, folder and envelopes
Mailer and glass protection
coffee bags, folder, magazine, bread wrapper, chip bags and envelopes
Bread wrapper, chip bags, shopping bag, coffee bags, calendar and reusable plastic bag
Dog food bags, chip bags, frozen food bags, folder and envelopes
Tea box, frozen food packaging, envelopes and craft paper
Made from chip bags, frozen food bags, folder, calendar, bank mailer and nut bag
Made from coffee bags, chip bags, envelopes and a folder.
Made from coffee bags, chip bags, bank mailer, shopping bag, mailers, chocolate wrapper, envelopes and a folder.
Made from coffee bags, frozen food bag, folder and a shopping bag.
Made from coffee bags, chip bags, frozen food bags, calendar and a folder.
Made from coffee bags, chip bags, frozen food bags, mailers, shopping bags and a calendar.
Chip bags, frozen food bags and potato bag
Yogurt lids, pasta bags, chip bags, coffee bags, envelopes and mailer
Coffee bags, chip bags, frozen food bag, envelopes, calander, craft paper and mailer
Bread bags, folder, coffee bags, chip bags and envelopes
Peanut bag, chip bags, folder, frozen food bags, dog food bag, calendar cover and envelopes
This is a test to add an image
Shopping bags, folder, chip bags, coffee bags, pasta bag, mailer and envelopes
Coffee bags, chip bags and envelopes
Folder, coffee bag, chip bag, facial cleaner, glass wrapper and a shoe bag
Made from Coffee bags, chip bags, shopping bag, bread wrapper, frozen food bag and envelopes.
Chip bags, coffee bags and craft paper
Coffee bags, bread bags, chip bags, peanut bag and craft paper
Chip bags, coffee bags, Envelopes and calender
Chip bags, liquor box, envelopes and folder
Chip bags, coffee bags, frozen food bag, folder, envelopes and bank mailer
Chip bags, frozen food bags, folder envelopes and bank mailer
Chip bags, Chocolate bag, noodle bag and envelopes
Chip bags, coffee bags, dog food bag, chocolate chip bags and a tea box
Commission for a friend as a gift to commemorate a trip to Zion.
Chip bags, noodle bag, chocolate chip bag, coffee bag, bread bag and envelopes
Chip bags, noodle bag, calendar and a frozen food bag.
Coffee bags, chip bags and envelopes.
Coffee bags, chip bags, frozen food bags, envelopes, folder and check mailer.
Chip bag, coffee bag, chocolate chip bag, cereal box, tea box and envelopes.
Coffee bags, chip bags, folder and envelopes.
Chip bags, coffee bags, envelopes and a folder.
Chip bags, gum wrapper, envelopes, craft paper and menu
Chip bags, folder, face cleaner packaging and envelopes
Chip bags, coffee bags, envelopes, folder and menu
Chip bags, coffee bags, folder and envelopes
Envelopes, chip bags, coffee bags and menu
Coffee bags, Tea packaging, folder, envelopes and wall paper
Chip bags, coffee bags, craft paper and shopping bag
Chip bags, folder, makeup remover packaging and envelopes
Folder, envelopes, chip bags and craft paper
Chip bags, envelopes and craft paper
Coffee bags, chip bags envelope and dog food bag
Chip bags, envelopes and tea bag
Chip bags, coffee bags, tea bag and envelope
Coffee bags, chip bags and envelopes
Folder, chip bags, coffee bag, envelopes and craft paper
Chip bags, Magazine, envelops and craft paper
Coffee bags, Tea bags, Chip bags and craft paper
Coffee bags, chip bags, wall paper and fliers
Coffee bags, tea bag, folder and wall paper
Chip bags, coffee bags and envelopes
Chip bags, Coffee bags, mailer, envelopes and craft paper
Coffee bag, chip bag, envelopes, mailer and folder
Coffee bag, dog food bag, envelopes and folder
Dog food bag, chip bags, craft paper, envelopes and day planner
Coffee bags, chip bags, dog food bag and mailer
Folder, mailer, chip bags, envelopes, craft paper and liquor box
Envelopes, coffee bags, candy bag and tea box
Coffee bags, envelopes and tracing paper
Folder, coffee bag, tea wrapper and box, and check mailer
Chip bags, dog food bags, chocolate foil, stickers and envelopes
Coffee bags, folder, chip bag and envelopes
Envelopes, chip bags and dog food bag
Chip bags, envelopes, mailer, day planner and tea box
Coffee bags, chip bags and tea box
Coffee bags, chip bags, envelopes, day planner and craft paper
Coffee bags, chip bags, dog food bag and chocolate packaging
Chip bags, coffee bags, pizza bag and envelopes
Coffee bags, chip bags, craft paper and day planner
Bread wrapper, chip bags, coffee bags, coconut bag, facial cleaner wrapper and folder
Tea box, frozen food bags, envelopes and craft paper
Nature Scapes are a continuation of the National Park concept, but for other subjects ranging from magnified images of minerals to mountain landscapes. I am still exploring this new way of creating images with a variety of unwanted materials (e.g. chip bags and coffee bags). All of my work uses the material as they come to me. I do not paint or change the color of these items in any way. It is my hope that you will look at our world in a more Eco-friendly way.
Each piece is 8 x 8 inches.
Coffee bags, chip bags, envelopes, calendar and magazines
Coffee bags, chip bags, envelopes, folder and magazine
Chip bags, face cleaning wrapper, coffee bags, frozen fish bag, frozen food bags, envelopes and magazines
Shopping bag, frozen food bags, mailers, chip bags and calendars
Mailer, chip bags, frozen food bag, and tatting thread
Chip bags, mailers, dog food bag, pot wrapper, pizza bag and envelopes
Chip bags, coffee bags, frozen food bags, pasta bag, envelopes and pot liner
Mailers, frozen food bags, chip bags, envelopes and folder
Chip bags, envelopes, calendar, pot liner and protective wrap
Made from chip bag, coffee bag, frozen food bag, mailer, bread wrapper and envelopes.
Made from chip bags, candy bag, mailer and envelopes.
Made from chip bags, mailers, folder, pasta bag, coffee bag and envelopes.
Bread wrapper, coffee bags, chip bags, dog food bag and a shopping bag
Made from coffee bags, chip bags, pizza bag, frozen food bag, dog food bag and a mailer.
Magazine, chip bags, frozen food bag and folder
Made from coffee bags, chip bags, pasta bag, mailers, envelopes and a reusable zip lock bag.
Made from chip bags, frozen food bags, nut bag and envelope.
Coffee bags and cereal box liner
coffee bags and liner for a collar
Nut bags, reusable baggie and cereal box liner
Nut bags and cereal box liner
Coffee bags and glass wraper
Folder, mailers, shopping bags, frozen food bags, coffee bags, chip bags and envelopes.
Shopping bag, mailer, chip bags, noodle bag, coffee bags and envelopes.
Bread wrapper, folder, coffee bags, chip bags, frozen food bags and a calendar cover
Bread wrapper, peanut bag, chip bag, frozen food bag and liquor box
Coffee bags, chip bags, frozen food bag and envelopes
Shopping bag, coffee bag, pasta bag, bread bag, envelopes and chip bags
Folder, Chip bags, frozen food bags, and bank mailer
Chip bags, frozen food bags, pasta bag, craft paper and envelopes.
Envelopes, chip bags and paper packaging
Frozen food bags, dog food bags and envelopes
Chip bags and shopping bag
Chip bags, coffee bag, envelopes, craft paper, frozen food bag and calendar.
Chip bags, coffee bag, envelopes and paper packaging
Chip bags, candy bag and envelopes
Boldygosolo sent me a card she had saved from her travels to Norway, in the 80’s. What a kick.
Envelopes, chip bags and coffee bags.
Chip bags, chocolate chip bags, tea box and envelopes
Mommagravel turned me on to the palouse. Thank you!
Chip bags, coffee bags, tea box and envelopes.
Coffee bag, chip bags, dog food bag, frozen food bag, mailer and envelopes.
Tea box, coffee bag, chip bags, and envelopes.
Chip bags, tea bag, envelopes and folder
Coffee bags, chip bags, envelopes, craft paper and folder
Chip bags, Mailer and envelopes
Coffee bags, chip bags and folder
Chip bags, sea weed packaging, envelopes and tracing paper
Coffee bags, chip bags, craft paper and folder
Chip bags, envelopes, dog food bag and a mailer
Tea bags and sugar packets
Folder, chip bags and dog food bag
Chip bags, dog food bag, mailer and envelope
Chip bag, dog food bags and envelopes
Envelopes and craft paper
Coffee bags, chip bags and craft paper
Chip bags and dog food bag
Chip bags, dog food bag, mailer and envelope
Coffee bags, craft paper and packaging
Chip bags, check mailer, mailer and sugar packaging
Chip bags and folder
Chip bags, tea wrappers, craft paper and mailer
Chip bag, craft paper and mailer
Chip bags, craft paper and mailer
Yogurt lids and mailer
Coffee bag, tea wrapper and craft paper
Coffee bags and chip bags
Chip bag
Chip bags, mailers, pasta bag, folder, bread wrapper and envelopes
