Process

The pieces begin with the creation of the pixels – folding each tile, box, or strip – individually. I find this process highly meditative and relaxing in its repetitiveness.

Sometimes I begin with a painting or drawing, often while traveling. It is then cut into small squares for folding. I also like to use papers from my travels – my favorites are washi from Japan, gilded Italian papers, and papers made from natural fibers, especially from the Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Nepal, and India.

I prioritize the use of recycled & thrifted paper, fabric, threads, and material over purchasing new. In addition to paper from discarded magazines and books, I always check thrift shops for inexpensive (often ugly) necklaces and jewelry that I can deconstruct and use in my work.

I start with a compositional idea in mind– often, when it’s derived from a painting, I continue to follow the same form as the original composition. Indeterminacy comes into play with the combinations of papers in each pixel, the orientation, and some elements of random choice.

Stitching provides another layer to the piece – hand-stitching on paper is challenging, and the patterns that result on the back side are a work of art in themselves.