I recently took my mom to St Louis to visit my son. One of our days was spent exploring the fabulous gardens at Missouri Botanical. As we walked about, I was reminded of other gardens I've enjoyed over the years. I think I'll take a few weeks to pour over old pics and share some of my favorite shots at locations around Illinois, the US, and places far away. But first - St Louis!
Excess 40 x 51
When is enough? The negative effects of hyperconsumerism include the depletion of natural resources and pollution of our Earth. How much damage to the environment and economy does a holiday do? An estimated $970 billion was spent on holiday spending in 2024, according to the National Retail Federation. Do we really need this mass consumption?
Netted 39” x 59”
I grew up fishing with my dad. He explained limits to me at a very young age, making sure I understood that size and quantity regulations were important rules to follow. My concern is not what the sport fishers take, but instead, the huge numbers of tuna, Atlantic cod, and other marine species that are declining in numbers. Can our oceans keep up with the growing world population? It appears that the answer is no.
“Morocco, one of North Africa’s most drought prone nations, is facing a severe crisis that threatens its agriculture and food security” Sara Riade, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Why? Natural rainfall decrease, growing population, and over extraction of ground water for agriculture are 3 issues at the top of the list. Morocco is 78% desert and dry land. The growing Sahara Desert is threatening to turn more of Morocco into a wasteland. At present the Sahara is in a dry period, but it is expected that it will become green again in 15,000 years. We can’t wait that long. We all must do our part to conserve water.
Tears for our Earth 41 x 58
Resources used up leaving an empty dark planet. No life. No future. Is this what we are handing to our children?
Loss 42 x 55
Where does a herd of elephants go when their feeding grounds are gone or the water they drink has dried up? Overpopulation of humans continues to push into the lands that elephants once roamed, converting the rangelands to farming communities. Loss of habitat is but one issue that these mighty animals have to figure out. The elephant population is now estimated to be approximately 415,000 compared to 10 million, 100 years ago. During this same time frame, the human population has quadrupled from 2 billion to 8 billion people. I’m not a scientist, but it appears that man is killing our planet.
This piece represents the economic impact of climate change on the agriculture industry. How will we adapt to rising sea levels in the Netherlands? As the world heats up, the atmosphere contains more water vapor, meaning wetter winters. And rising temperatures mean hotter spring and summer periods in the Netherlands—a deadly combination for tulip farmers.
In our culture, we call her Mother Earth. The Incan people revered Pachamama. This goddess presided over planting and harvesting. Her power was used to sustain life on Earth. What does she say about the current abuse and overuse of our planet? She is said to be generous with her gifts, but have we taken too much from nature? Have we forgotten Mother Earth and what she stands for? This quilt was created with inspiration from my Peru travels and my belief that our Earth is fighting back with earthquakes, floods and fires. What can you do today to be respectful to our planet?
Leaves 41” x 55”
What happens to a world without leaves? The trees are gone, no plants survive. The population would also disappear and the planet becomes a dry barren wasteland. This quilt is a statement of death and what’s to come if we continue cutting down trees and ignoring what importance the leaves and plants have in the life cycle.
FRAYED 33 x 53
Lives frayed and tattered to support the world's demand for cobalt. The bleak future of a society controlled by greed. How do we justify what has been done in the name of progress? My dress statements began as a cry out to look at what has been done to our Earth- pollution, waste, mistreatment of resources… the list goes on and on. But now I look at how the people of earth are treated like pawns in the game of world dominance. When is enough? Bigger and better, new and improved… the marketing tools say much about us. Can we return to simple and less? Can the people in the Democratic Republic of Congo survive?
In early 2024, I set out to continue my quilt eco statements. Having made 12 small pieces, each using a small girl's dress as a focal in "Addressing the Earth", I found that my list of earth concerns was long. After writing an exhibit proposal for Quad City Arts, I was off and running (stitching) to complete a deadline that at the time seemed crazy stupid. The ideas were not the problem - having time to create was. Somehow I managed and completed the 9 quilts with plenty of time to spare. The May/June exhibit is over. Will I continue with more dresses? Probably. The gifts of adorable heirlooms keep finding a home in my studio, and I haven't been able to say no to any of them.
I've been breaking plates, vases, pitchers, cups, and bottles for some time now. It's time to use them in art and not horde the lovelies in bowls and jars!
What do you do with a giant collection of Altoid tins, besides use as containers for buttons, beads, trinkets and numerous other items? Make Shrines!
Fabulous score at the Hobby Lobby! These littles were on a garland for teacher decorating. At 40% off, I snatched up 2 strands. They are a little difficult to start, but once the outer "shell" was softened, I couldn't stop playing!
