"Facade VI" is part of my series focused on transparency, texture, shape and line. This piece has been in a traveling exhibit, "Layers", with the Kansas Art Quilters.

I have used loosely woven scrim, like cheesecloth, and a variety of sheer and textured materials ranging from hand-dyed silks to burlap to screening. It is all stitched to sheer silk organza, creating subtle color and value shifts as one color is placed to overlap another. By using a sheer foundation, the translucence of the entire piece creates a mesmerizing work of art. Light flows through it, and changes its appearance with changing light. Fascinating new shapes arise with the overlaid sheer fabrics, which I emphasize with hand stitching using thick thread.

The scrim moves slightly out of square as it is handled, almost if it has a life of its own. The organic shapes that emerge give the basic rectangle an attitude that is most appealing. The resulting piece has much to see; colors, shapes, stitching in contrasting or matching threads, a variety of textures, some metallic threads, organic shapes, and surprises such as an occasional primitive design in the stitching.

The frayed edges are in keeping with materials chosen. When I work, I keep in mind the qualities of the fabric I am using. The scrim is delicate, frays easily, and the warp and weft move out of straight fairly as I move them around. It is translucent. I try to capture these qualities in the artwork. Once it is stitched to the silk organza, it is strong and will last for years with reasonable care.