Category: Work In Progress

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Exploring Banana Leaf Mordanting: A Sustainable Dyeing AdventureBanana Leaf Mordant?!

I’ve been diving into the world of natural dyeing, and I’m especially intrigued by banana leaf mordanting. This innovative and eco-friendly method uses the tannins and plant-based compounds in banana leaves to help dyes bind to fibers, creating subtle and earthy color variations. It’s a beautiful way to combine sustainability with creativity, and I can’t wait to try it out for myself!

To make this happen, I’m planning to grow my own banana trees. I’m in the process of choosing the perfect spot in my yard—a sunny area with well-draining soil is ideal since banana trees thrive in warmth and humidity. I also need to make sure the location is sheltered from strong winds to protect their large, delicate leaves and promote healthy growth and fruit production.

This is just the beginning of the journey, and I’ll share more updates as the planting season progresses. I’m looking forward to the day when I can harvest my own banana leaves and experiment with their dyeing magic! Stay tuned.

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Building Space for Banana Fibers…

As I look forward to the completion of my studio, I can’t help but feel excited about the possibilities that will unfold once I finally have the space to work on projects I’ve only dreamed of. One of the things I’m eager to dive into is processing banana fibers. The idea of turning something so common in my environment into a material I can work with feels deeply satisfying—almost like a full-circle moment of creation.

Banana fibers are strong, flexible, and have such a beautiful, natural texture. But up until now, I’ve lacked the dedicated space to properly process them. Once the studio is built, I’ll have the room and the right environment to experiment, to let the fibers dry and cure, to extract them in ways that preserve their strength and integrity. In this new space, I’ll finally be able to explore the full potential of this material and see where it leads me artistically.

Stay tuned, because once this studio is up and running, I’ll be sharing the journey of working with banana fibers—and who knows what else will emerge in this new chapter of my creative practice!

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Cordage from My Garden

Yesterday, I spent the morning cutting back the massive Yucca plants that have been growing wild on my compound. These plants are formidable—sharp, resilient, and full of potential. As I worked through the thick, spiky leaves, I couldn’t help but think about the possibilities that lie within them. Yucca has been used for centuries to make strong, durable fibers, and I’m excited to reserve these leaves for a project I’ve been planning: making my own cordage this winter.

When the temperatures finally dip below 85 degrees—yes, I’m waiting for that cool break—I’ll begin the process of extracting the fibers from the Yucca. It’s a slow, labor-intensive task. There’s something deeply meditative about working with natural materials, coaxing fibers from plants that have been growing right outside my door. Plus, it connects me to an ancient practice of using what’s available in nature to create something both functional and beautiful.

But that’s not all. I’ve also been gathering materials for another experiment: natural dyes. The lichen that grows on the Palm trees, and the sorrel I’ve been cultivating all offer the promise of vibrant, earthy colors. Once the cordage is ready, I’ll start playing around with these dyes to see what kinds of hues I can bring out. It’s a way of layering the natural world into every part of the process, from the fiber to the color.

Stay tuned to see how this develops! I’m excited to share the results of these winter projects. There’s a certain kind of magic in watching an idea take shape—especially when it’s rooted in the land around me.

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Mahogany Limbs For Me

Big thanks to McCarty for spotting that Facebook post about two long-downed mahogany tree limbs, each about 10 inches in diameter at the base. We’ve got a truck and a chainsaw—time to go collect them! In the meantime, I’ve been journaling some art ideas in my sketchbook, filling the pages with doodles and freehand stream-of-consciousness writing. Watch this space to see what unfolds!

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Transforming Trash into Treasure: Beach Clean-Up in St. Croix

Every week, I hit the shores of St. Croix armed not just with bags for trash, but with a vision. Ghost nets, marline line, and rope—once marine debris—are prized materials for my artwork. These discarded remnants not only mar our beautiful beaches but also tell a story of environmental neglect.

Through meticulous collection during beach clean-ups, I breathe new life into these discarded items. By repurposing them in my artwork, I not only create striking pieces but also raise awareness about ocean conservation and the impact of human activity on marine ecosystems.

I am turning the tide on pollution—one ghost net at a time.

Loading up the Jeep
Cleaning the small pieces
A good day’s haul
All coming together
Coiling rope
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Work in Progress

As an artist deeply passionate about sustainability and the beauty of the unexpected, I’ve always been drawn to the idea of giving new purpose to discarded objects. There’s something incredibly satisfying about taking something that might otherwise end up in a landfill and transforming it into a work of art that sparks wonder and curiosity.

I am still sourcing the materials to embellish the braids so I expect to be working and completing this piece, while I am in residency at Touchstone Center for Crafts this Spring and Fall.

more to come…

Im playing with the idea of adding red string
I need to add more gold bands
There are 15 in total doubled up on the Z Rack