About the Artist

From a young age, I have been attracted to textiles in their various forms, and I continue to be intrigued by the endless possibilities that this medium offers for creative expression.

The serendipitous discoveries that occur in the course of my experimentation with a wide variety of techniques, processes, and materials serve as a catalyst for my creative activity. In recent years, discharging (selectively removing dyes from fabric) and gelatin printing (using a gelatin plate to make primitive mono-print impressions on fabric) have captured my imagination and fueled both my passion for unique colors, textures, and patterns, and my fascination with mark-making. I have also felt drawn to experiment with the creation of both three-dimensional forms and transparent work.

Much of my work is influenced by my faith in God and the biblical or theological themes that inform my faith journey. I am gratified when viewers experience my work as an invitation to reflect more deeply on spiritual themes, to enter into thoughtful examination of religious presumptions, or to embrace more nuanced understandings of either their own beliefs or the beliefs of others. The feedback I receive affirms my conviction that art is dialogical, a conversation that requires the participation of both the artist and the viewer.

I am privileged to maintain an active commission schedule, primarily for projects that are spiritually expressive and/or purposed for liturgical use. I am pleased to respond to inquiries about my work.


PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

     Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA)
     Surface Design Association (SDA)
     Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA), Professional Artist Member
     Front Range Contemporary Quilters (FRCQ)

EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION

My creative pursuits are shaped both by innate artistic intuition and by academic study in journalism and theology, including:
     A Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism (Public Relations) from the Gaylord College
          of Journalism at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma
     The Master of Arts Degree in Journalism (Communications) from the Gaylord College
          of Journalism at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma
     The Master of Divinity Degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio

SELECT EXHIBITIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

2007 and beyond
     Work published in Create Your Own Hand-Printed Cloth! by Rayna Gillman
          (C&T Publishing, 2008)
     Featured artist, Salt of the Earth Christian seasons calendar, United Church of Canada
          (2008)
     Feature article and cover, The Lutheran magazine (March 2008)
     ARTQUILTS Images, Cary, NC; Cincinnati, OH; Harrisburg, PA; Santa Clara, CA;
          Schaumburg, IL; and Golden, CO (on tour through 2008)
     Expressions: The Art Quilt, La Veta, CO; Manchester, NH; Nashville, TN; and Paducah, KY
          (on tour through 2008)
     Highly Favored: Contemporary Images of the Virgin Mary, Christians in the Visual Arts [CIVA]
          (on tour through 2008)
     Fabric of Legacies, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO (May 22—July 10, 2007)
     Featured artist, Indie Arts DVD magazine (April 2007)
     28th Annual Contemporary Crafts Exhibition, Mesa, AZ (January 26 — March 5, 2007) and
          exhibition catalog
     Form, Not Function: Quilt Art at the Carnegie, Albany, IN (January 12 — March 8, 2007)
     Featured artist and conference presenter, Symposium on Worship, Music, and the Arts,
          Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI (January 2007)

2006
     Au Naturale, Ricky Tims Quilt Art Gallery, La Veta, CO (August 5 — September 21, 2006)
     Fabric of Legacies, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO (June 30 — July 25, 2006)
     Celebration! , HGA Convergence, Grand Rapids, MI (June — August 2006)
     Liturgical and Sacred Art Exhibition, Springfield Art Association, Springfield, IL
          (April — June 2006)
     Spiritual Expressions in Fiber, Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, Golden, CO
          (March —June 2006)
     Considering Quilts 2006, Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL
          (April — May 2006)
     Sacred Prostitute, Springer-Croke Fine Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA
          (January —February 2006)

2005
     Windows to the Divine, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Denver, CO
          (November 2005)
     Featured artist, Sacred Threads, Reynoldsburg, OH (June 2005)
     Feature article, Quilters’ Newsletter magazine (June 2005)
     Secret Place, Sacred Space, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL (April — May 2005)
     Contemporary Works of Faith 2005, Schumacher Gallery, Columbus, OH
          (March 8 — April 8, 2005) and exhibition poster award
     Alegré, Sweeny Conference Center, Santa Fe, NM (March 2005)

2004
     Expressions of the Sacred [Jurors’ Award], the University of Denver, Denver, CO
          (March 2004)