Artist Statement
Harvest Songs is inspired by turn of the 19th century documents and memorabilia from my Slovak immigrant family. TRAVNICE, a collection of folk harvest songs, becomes a tribute to the women who had labored in the fields, and who sought harmony in their work and personal lives. Garlands, a symbol of girhoold and life passages, reflect memories of youthful joy and play. Text and scores are treated as iconic images in these mixed media explorations. Layers of painting, scrubbing, transferring and sil-screening create an intricate surface that echo the ephermeral and fragile nature of a by-gone era.

In this collection, it was also my intent to transcend any one era or culture. This same need for balance between work and family is a contemproary issue where the power of compansionship and song still have the ability to enliven and lighten one's life journey.