Gallery
Northwest Plants and Botanicals
I am inspired by the common plants of the Pacific Northwest, particularly the ones that grow in my backyard and neighborhood and thrive without intervention. These pieces are stitched entirely by hand using deconstructed denim jeans and beautiful, but worn antique napkins and linens.
Štriga
Croatia
An underworld being in Croatian myth, the Štriga, or witch, has the power to leave their body in their sleep. At night, the Štriga exits the mouth in the form of a fly, eventually turning into another creature (usually a black one) and wreaking havoc in the village. Peasants of the old days would place a rock in the mouth of a sleeping woman if a fly was seen about, blocking the fly's return and thus, killing the Štriga.
The ragged piecing of the silhouette symbolizes how the curse of the Štriga must have destroyed the woman's life. I like to think the woman would awaken from her possession with new vigor, having been released from the curse, but the ending is lost in folklore.
She probably choked on the rock.
Slavic Mythology Series
My great-grandparents emigrated to the United States in the early 1900s from the Adriatic coast of Italy, Croatia and Slovenia. While the personal history of my ancestors remain a mystery, the regional myths, legends and folk craft of this corner of the world have captivated me. Interpreting these stories though my textile art practice allows me to forge connection with my ancestors and my forgotten heritage. Each artwork is illustrates a story and is intended to be viewed with the accompanied text.
Štriga, 2023
Hand applique embroidery on antique napkin
10"x10" - SOLD
Zlatorog
Slovenia
Zlatorog is one of the most enduring legendary beings of Slovenian folk tradition. This majestic creature was the golden horned leader of a herd of goats that grazed in the mountains above the Soca River where the white fairies made their home. The fairies granted Zlatorog a special ability: the animal cannot die even if a hunter wounds it, because from its blood a magical and mighty healing flower grows. If wounded, Zlatorog will eat the flower and heal instantly. The Zlatorog stories tell of the interdependency between man and nature, and what happens when human greed goes too far. Regardless of the version, the story ends with Zlatorog being fatally wounded by a greedy hunter, healing itself and finally killing the hunter before leaving waste to the mountain where it once grazed.
My Zlatorog sits on a stone carpeted with magical flowers. I really hope he still grazes somewhere with the white fairies.
Zlatorog, 2025
Hand applique embroidery on muslin
6"x8" - Available, Contact for pricing
Zmaj
Slovenia
The dragon is the ever-present symbol of Ljubljana, the capitol of Slovenia. As the story goes, Jason stole the Golden Fleece from King Aeetes of Colchis on the eastern shore of the Black Sea in present day Georgia. Jason fled west, back to Greece, with his friends, the Argonauts, across the Black Sea and up the Danube and Sava Rivers until they reached the Ljubljanica River in present day Slovenia. That is a long journey of at least 1700 miles with stolen mythical goods. And yes, they went a really weird route because the King's entire fleet was after them. There were probably lots of "I think we lost them! ahh snap...never mind" moments until they killed their pursuers. By the time they got to the Ljubljanica they realized they now had to travel overland to reach the Adriatic Sea, which meant they needed to take apart their ship.
But that is just the beginning of this story, because once they made it to the Ljubljanica they soon realized they had made their winter camp in the marshy hunting grounds of a dragon that was apparently terrorizing the surrounding lands. Eventually Jason fought, defeated and killed the dragon as heroes do, but I find the evolution of the dragon legends from this point on to be quite intriguing. Through the centuries the dragon has become the hero and protector of this region. Bridges, castles and flags include icons and images of the dragon in a way that embraces its strength, power and overall badassery. Perspectives shift over time, and roles of hero and monster can flipflop at any moment. There must be a little bit of each in all of us?
Zmaj, 2025
Hand applique embroidery on painted canvas
16"x12", Available, Contact for pricing