Hypatia In the Woods Exhibit

In my previous posts about my artist residency program on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state during the summer of 2023, I shared how I spent three transformative weeks exploring the region, learning about its indigenous heritage, and gathering creative inspiration. 

During my residency, I created 19 cyanotypes on-site, engaged in nature journaling from collected specimens, began a large triptych textile art piece, and captured numerous photos for future reference. Although I made notable progress on my large textile piece, I encountered numerous stops and starts upon returning home. My initial goal was to develop a collection of work based on my experiences at Holly House, the cabin where I stayed. 

Original Cyanotype on left, Mixed Media Textile Art: Western Redcedar and Hemlock  18" x 24"

In early 2024, I was contacted by Pacific Textile Arts in Fort Bragg, CA, with an invitation to teach a series of workshops and present a solo exhibit of my work. This opportunity was the catalyst I needed to push forward and complete my "Hypatia" collection. It took me over a year to fully absorb, evaluate, and internalize my residency experience before diving into the project. 

As I dedicated focused time to this collection, I produced nine new pieces, ranging in size from a 38" square triptych to several smaller works mounted on gallery-wrapped canvas panels. Throughout the process, I learned a great deal. By working on multiple pieces simultaneously, I aimed to present a cohesive yet varied collection that would captivate viewers. 

One of the biggest challenges was creating larger-scale works, a departure from my previous hand-stitching projects. The time commitment was substantial; I spent many 12-hour days working to bring the collection to completion. It was a tremendous relief to finish everything on schedule. 

Ultimately, the most valuable lessons I gained were in time management and crafting a unified body of work. Thanks to the support of Pacific Textile Arts, I successfully completed this project and am now excited to move on to my next creative endeavor.