I have been a professional artist for over 30 years - working in a variety of mediums from silversmithing & enameling, to fiber, to wood & twigs. I have a BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art and a Masters in Art Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Over the years, I have had 7 solo exhibits with my fiber work and been in numerous juried shows.
The current work in wood & twigs came about when I began to incorporate scrap wood from our numerous home remodeling projects with my fiber work to create three dimensional wall sculptures. After we acquired our West Virginia farm, I picked up a book on basic trellis making and made a few pieces for my friends. This beginning peaked my interest of working with wood in its natural form. Then too, there are plenty of twigs and branches available on the property.
The rough cut pieces came about after a visit to a neighbor's sawmill to collect firewood from his scrap pile. The pieces were too beautiful to burn, so I made a small table, and returned the next day with Al and a trailer to collect more material. By using these discards, old scrap lumber, broken furniture, and barn wood in my art, I am putting into practice my beliefs about recycling and caring for the earth.
In the past year, my husband, Al Tuttle, has joined the business full time. He has always been supportive of me and my work and worked behind the scenes - gofer, handyman, hauler, computer nerd, technical assistant. Now with this partnership and a combination of skills, the business has taken a leap forward. He created this website. I do "allow" him in the wood shop and he has developed his own style of furniture using mortise and tenon techniques. Often times we have fun working together on one piece. This year, we plan to construct a larger wood shop. This will allow us to do larger pieces of furniture. Presently we are working/dancing around one another in tight quarters - a two car garage piled high with twigs, rough cut lumber, work benches and tools.
When I need a break from the twig and rustic furniture, I return to my fiber roots. I enjoy the design process working with the endless texture and colors available with fabric. I create unique one of a kind wall hangings and table pieces using applique and machine stitching to embellish the surface. For more on my fiber and other artwork, please visit www.risingmooncontemporaryfolkart.com
So the story continues. This gives you an idea where we were, where we are now, and future dreams. New, exciting chapters are ahead for us.
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