Biography
I am an artist, educator, and sustainability practitioner whose work has evolved from traditional consumer research toward what I call "embodied sustainability scholarship" through textile arts. I apprenticed as a Master Tailor prior to graduate school and hold a PhD in Human Ecology with specialization in Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design from Kansas State University.
Research Interests
My Subsurface Design practice integrates textile artistry with aquifer education to make environmental concepts viscerally accessible. I create original silk paintings and textile designs that explore underground water systems and seasonal rhythms while teaching sustainable textile practices including upcycling and garment construction. Through my Oneshirt project, I demonstrate how one versatile pattern can replace an entire wardrobe, bridging academic rigor with hands-on making. My work incorporates 3D visualization technology for digital design prototyping, as demonstrated in my ongoing Kanda River vest project. Current work includes the Groundwork silk banner series and accompanying book exploring Edwards Aquifer ecology, and commissioned textile artwork such as Cypress Wisdom for Guadalupe Regional Medical Center's Women's Health Center.
Teaching Interests
Sustainable Textile Practices, Textile Arts and Design, 3D Digital Design and Visualization, Creative Problem Solving, Traditional Craft Skills, Environmental Education through Making