The Ghost Lace series explores extreme opposites: delicate/strong; smooth/textured; opaque/transparent; close up/far away. I am intrigued by the visual metaphor of taking something away and having something left -or simply covering a portion and revealing another - much the same way we relate to or can still connect with people who are no longer with us or with us in spirit only. The Lace Bricolage series uses antique lace, oil paint, and wax to build up the surface of the painting creating extreme texture. In these works, collage has taken the next step to become bricolage - a more three dimensional sibling to collage.
* The history of lace weaves an intricate tale across multiple cultures of women teaching women this delicate and highly sought after skill. European royalty paid a high price for exquisite lace to adorn their elaborate clothing. Unique for women in the late 1400 and 1500s in Europe, the early lace makers became extremely wealthy women. With this hard earned money, came new power and prestige.
