About
Annual visits from Joan’s grandmother meant new clothes. She would sit at the sewing machine watching her grandmother fashion new school dresses from scraps of cloth or rework old clothing into new garments. The rhythm of the sewing machine humming and the methodic movements of her grandmother’s elegantly wizened hands, created magic transformation.
Like her grandmother, Joan started sewing and re-creating new garments from old by the time she was in Junior High. A family friend that was a professional tailor took an interest in Joan’s creations and began instructing how to improve fit and adjust patterns. Suggestions and alterations were made; professional finishing and fitting of garments became intrinsic.
IIn California in the 1960s Joan discovered weaving, she was able to weave on a variety of floor looms. She learned about structure and fiber through spinning and weaving samples. Joan’s focus was on traditional weave structures.
She continued her fiber explorations focusing on blending dyes and painting fabric, elements that continue to resonate in her work today. During the early 1970s, much of her work was free form creation.
Today there is a blending of styles, freeform dye painted fabric in a finely tailored jacket or a traditional weave structure in a freeform design. Contemporary meets traditional style, creating garments and home décor` that live well in the real world.