Four years ago I plunged into the political maelstrom that is our country more than I have ever done before. Reading reports of politicians lying, watching as closeted racists and white supremacists showed up in prime time, and seeing international relations disintegrate into name calling and resentment, my worries grow large. I’m an independent voter concerned with the environment, education and the welfare of all people across the globe. I vote for people who focus on peace, protecting the environment and who have empathy for those who have great challenges. No surprise, then, that my artwork reflects this focus.

I’m including a short slideshow here of the pieces that are included in the show. If you are in the Memphis area January 17-February 12 I hope you have an opportunity to see the show in person. I’ll even meet you over there to talk about this work if you want me to. We all need to start talking more.

I quilt to piece, layer and stitch a narrative that represents my concern for what is going on in our country. My art reflects American anxiety in a world of danger and distrust. It mirrors the ominous overtones of decisions disconnected from everyday life and a feeling that we are helpless in the wake of unmoored leadership.

I believe that cornerstone American values can emerge through the power of individual voices during the 2020 election cycle. The body of work in Stitched Dissent adds to the fundamental conversations going on in our media, our families, and our government.

Go to the show for your free sticker.

Sometimes pieces emerge out of my subconscious without warning. My task is to allow that to happen. That is what happened with Beastie Boy and His Pals.

I am appalled by the way our government is being run. The creatures that inhabit the power centers have changed the way I think about threats. As a citizen I vote in and pay attention to local, regional and federal issues. I read articles that discuss both sides of issues. I listen to the news from other countries. I try to sift out the skewed, embellished and outright outrageous to come to an understanding. And I feel helpless.

Solace comes in the work.

Beastie Boy and His Pals started with this scrappy composition. I have learned that scraps can talk.

The composition had two sides. A cool side and a warm side with static in between. Similar to the dialog being broadcast to us each day without rest. Like the two parties playing their he said he said game.

As mammals we are predisposed to see faces in inanimate objects. The instinct is a way to protect ourselves from potential threats. So as I added sections to the composition I started seeing beasts -- beasts with eyes, beasts with tails, beasts with goggles. I liked how the three beastie figures outlined in the pic at the right started to create a nest of a composition.