If you come to my studio you notice pretty quickly that I’m surrounded by quilts. Over the years Jan and I have built a wonderful collection of antique pieces from around the world and I keep them close at hand. They’re more than decoration—they’re part of my creative toolkit, a spark of inspiration that’s become a meaningful part of my artistic process. People ask if I have a favorite. I just smile and tell them that’s like asking me to pick a favorite grandkid. Every quilt has its own story, personality, and charm.

My love for quilting comes naturally, I grew up around it. My mother was a quilter, and her mother—who created incredible crazy quilts and intricate trapunto designs—was one of the finest I’ve ever known. From them, I learned more than technique. I learned patience, perseverance, and thrift—qualities at the heart of quilting that life rewards. But what left the deepest impression was their creativity. They could take the simplest scraps of fabric and transform them into intricate compositions that were detailed, balanced, and beautiful.

That spirit—making something wonderful out of what’s at hand—guides my own work. You’ll see quilt-inspired patterns woven into my Easter Parade pieces and butterfly designs, and even worked into fun characters like Disney’s Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, The Grinch, and Hello Kitty. In short, quilting adds tradition, texture, and a little piece of my own personal history to everything I create.

Take a look and let me know what you think.

God Bless,