At age seventy two, I began this body of work to examine what advancing age meant in my life and in my work. As I worked, I began to reflect on the beauty and patina of old objects and the complexity of accumulated years.

I used encaustic with wire mesh armatures, plaster gauze, fabric, found material, and wax to represent the effects of time passing and a neutral palette to reflect the colors of all things old or worn; I wanted to show the richness time can render.

At first my series featured me - my scars, my years, my life now. But as I progressed, I realized I was also painting about family, especially the strong women who influenced me. I felt inspired by their determination to succeed in their careers or accomplish life goals as well as their appreciation of the arts. They valued accomplishments beyond life necessities, even when circumstances made providing necessities difficult. 

To honor their influence, I was compelled to include fiber in the Bloodlines collection. For Saving Stories, I printed several of my family stories on paper, then sewed and knitted them into a wall hanging that I dipped in wax to preserve my memories. I also knitted in clothesline because I remembered chilly mornings when Mother washed clothes before school, and I helped hang them on the line to dry.

In Legacy 4, I have tucked into the stitches bits of my stories and some of my mother’s violin music. And once again, my family legacy will be preserved in wax. You will see that thread continues through the collection.