In my perspective, baskets have the ability to bridge the gap between a beautiful work of art and the functional woven vessel. With every basket I create, my desire is to make an object that quickly becomes art-in-hand through its daily use. The interplay of fiber, color, and shape has always intrigued me and left me with a feeling of urgency that almost demands a basket’s creation. The personal satisfaction I have received from basketry through the years continues to evolve including a wide range of work styles. It is my desire to get the viewer involved in the this process through creating work that invites one to touch, linger and learn some of the process of the evolution of the woven art form we call basketry.

Biography

I am from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. I have been a production basket maker for many years and bring those skills into teaching. Ribbed basketry is my specialty, and some of my baskets have taken on a sculptural perspective in recent years. I have been weaving for decades and I am still fascinated with the woven form.

I have participated in many basketry exhibits and won numerous awards for my work including an award from Tamarack: The Best of West Virginia for being outstanding in the skills of basketry. I am an active member of the National Basketry Organization and I teach and lecture widely on basketry and the woven form. My goal is to make each student’s class a successful one.

You can find my work for sale in shops and galleries including: Tamarack: The Best of West Virginia and at the Over the Mountain Studio Tour.

Other Creative Skills

Basketmaking