About
1958 L to R - Maternal Grandmother - Roberta Penney, Me, Mother - Barbara Irving, Paternal Grandmother - Dorothy Irving.
I once again live in the state of my birth and youth, Michigan. Decades of living and traveling throughout the US, Canada and the UK with my husband, David, has brought me a multitude of art experiences that have impacted my designs. I have made lifelong friends in so many creative fields along the way. I look forward to many more years of art in my life.
As a child I began sewing with my paternal Grandmother and my Mother and this began a lifelong love of fiber.
Hand knitted works are the staple to my wearable art line. Knitting is a bit of an addiction for me. Scarves, cowls and shawls are my favorites. I’m not a fan of following patterns. I try but I have a desire to make it my own and so I make adjustments or veer off course completely. All of my pieces are unique but some designs can be replicated, to a degree. One favorite of mine is an open-weave pattern that I call The Sidsel, named for my paternal great-great Grandmother, who came to the United States in 1874 from Norway. Another design that I enjoy knitting frequently is my take on a scalene triangle that I call the Thea, for my paternal Grandmother and great Grandmother, Dorothy and Helena. It is tremendous fun for me to knit variations of the Sidsel or Thea with different yarns and in different sizes and see what is created.
I also design and make a line of one of a kind felted wool balls and aluminum wire necklaces in my jewelry collection. Hand knit copper and sterling silver wire jewelry pieces, in limited editions, are another part of my jewelry line.
The colors and shapes of Nature significantly impact my composition and design work. I hope that people who view and wear my work will sense the Navajo advice that I want to incorporate in all of my pieces - “Walk in the Beauty Way”.
