The underlying theme tying all 4 bodies of work together is color.  Bold, lively, clashing, bashing...some may describe it as scary...I'm in love with color.  This love was reinforced when viewing Mexican folk art, which uses color and pattern to the max.  Dots, dashes, wild color...it seemed to me the Huichol Indians of Mexico got it right.

    Walking through a craft store one day, I saw some plain gray papier mache boxes and vases and bought a bunch. They were crying out for dots and color!  After painting about 100 of these, (and seeing spots before my eyes), my mom and I saw some mannequins for sale.  WOW!  What would those look like painted in this style...??...and viola! 13 mannequins later, the question was answered.  Eventually a theme emerged and the mannequins were exhibited in a show called "Women in Their 40's".  See for yourself by clicking on the mannequins box.

    While all of this was going on, my husband and I were planting a 2000' foot backyard prairie.  Oh, the prairies of the midwest are so grand, yet so many tiny worlds exist within them!  Feeling kind of bored sticking with one media, but wanting to continue the tiny marks theme,  I switched to pastel.  Hmmm...what else could be used to make tiny marks?  Aha!  Cross stitch!  And so the prairie series was born, along with some mixed media paintings.

    Mi Cuerpo Mi Habla was created when an acquaintance wrote a short bilingual children's story and was looking for someone to illustrate it.  Using pastel pencil, the illustrations reflect the feel of Mexico and the wonder of small children everywhere.  You can find out more by clicking on books.  More books of the handmade type will be appearing in this link.