Artist Statement: Diatoms are microscopic single-celled algae. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows they have multi-layered shells with stunning patterns.  The shells are made of silica and are transparent. There is no color information in SEM images because electrons have much shorter wavelengths than visible light.  But scientists often artificially colorize the black and white SEM images to make them more interesting.  This is inspired by a highly magnified diatom surface pattern I photographed during my years as a marine biologist.

Materials & Techniques: Hand painted Evolon and HollyTex (nonwoven fabrics), batik cotton fabric, wool batting, fabric paint. Smaller shapes were cut with a Silhouette Cameo digital cutting machine. Free motion quilting. 

Dimensions: 36" x 27"

Photographer: Carla Stehr