Artist Statement: Diatoms are single-celled aquatic plants that can only be seen with a microscope. Their multi-layered, hard exteriors contain pores arranged in beautiful microscopic patterns that inspire my art. Earlier pieces used several layers of cotton fabric and raw or faced openings (Diatom 8). Diatom 11 is my latest experiment with painted Evolon (nonwoven fabric), and a trapunto technique. 

Materials & Techniques: Openings were cut in painted Evolon (nonwoven fabric), then placed over cotton fabric. It was quilted with a trapunto technique using wool batting and ecofelt. This allowed the surface Evolon to separate from the underlying cotton and show a space between the layers, similar to what occurs in diatoms.

Dimensions: 33 x 28 x 0

Photographer: Carla Stehr