Navigating Challenges and Finding Joy

January 23, 2025

This fall and winter have brought some personal challenges. In late September, I went in for my routine screening mammogram. Instead of the usual “see you next year” report, I got a call back for additional images. Those images led to a biopsy, and then to scheduling a consultation with a surgeon to remove a small, suspicious mass. The surgeon reassured me that it’s very likely nothing, but the lab couldn’t rule out other possibilities.

I was originally scheduled for surgery in late November, but the day before, my husband and I both tested positive for COVID. It was our first experience with the virus, and thankfully, our cases were mild. My surgery was rescheduled for early February, but I may need to delay it again due to upcoming insurance changes as my husband searches for a new job.

If there’s one thing uncertainty is good for, it’s keeping your mind too busy to dwell on a small mass. Instead, I’ve been preoccupied with bigger life changes. Even so, it hasn’t been all bad.

One of the most joyful moments of this fall was adopting Harley, our sweet mixed breed dog, during a quieter time in October. Harley has been such a source of comfort and fun, joining us on walks and filling our days with her playful energy. There is nothing like a dog to remind you of the small daily kinds of joys.

Harley at Lake Minnetonka’s frozen shore

After the chaos of November, we managed to find quiet moments during the holidays—reading, taking hikes, and spending a few days watching eagles along the Mississippi River. While I often see eagles during errands or dog walks, spotting over a hundred was a special treat.

Eagles taking a break from fishing the Mississippi River

On the brighter side, I’ve been honored to participate in several exhibitions, more than I think I’ve ever had at once. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s happening:

Current Exhibitions

Arts North International 30 Juried Exhibition
January 11 – February 22, 2025
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343

I’m thrilled to share that I received a special award from show sponsors David & Martha Raymond: In the Tradition of Arts in Harmony Award ($100) for my piece Restoration.

*Restoration,* 18.5" h x 27" w x 1" d, linen and cotton

Opening Soon

Common Thread at the Carnegie

This exhibition features the works of 75 Textile Center of Minnesota members, whose work was a part of Textile Center’s 2024 A Common Thread exhibition.
January 29 – February 22, 2025
Carnegie Art Center
120 South Broad Street, Mankato, MN 56001

*Inlet,* 13" h x 28.25" w x 1" d, linen, cotton, and silk

Vibrant Traditions: Scandinavian Weaving in the Midwest
January 31 – April 6, 2025
Norway House
913 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

*Meander,* 24.5" h x 22.5" w x 1" d, linen and cotton

Closing Soon

Friend of Finland
November 21, 2024 – January 28, 2025
Finlandia Art Gallery
Finnish American Heritage Center
435 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI 49930

I’m so honored to have my work on display in the place that my great grandparents lived after their immigration from Finland.

*Headwaters*, 30" h x 28" w x 1" d, linen and cotton

Even with the ups and downs, I’m grateful for these opportunities and for the quiet moments of joy we’ve been able to carve out. Harley, the eagles, and the chance to keep creating have been reminders to stay present and appreciate life’s little gifts. Here’s to navigating what comes next with as much grace as we can manage. Thank you, as always, for your support!

A Day at the Fair: Weaving Memories and Weathering the Storm

August 30, 2024

The Minnesota State Fair is a bittersweet time and marks the end of summer for Minnesotans. Nestled within the Twin Cities metro area, the fair attracts a diverse crowd from the city, across Minnesota, and neighboring states. It’s a big deal in our state, with many folks upholding annual traditions they revisit every year. For artists, it represents the largest juried art exhibition in Minnesota. The competition is fierce—this year, there were 2,821 entries, with only 333 works making the cut. Despite the overwhelming number of pieces, the display space is expertly arranged, providing enough room to breathe between works—a delicate balance indeed.

My one-day residency at the fair was on Monday, August 26th, which turned out to be a beastly hot and humid day—the hottest day of our summer. I joked with many visitors that it felt just like a typical summer day in St. Louis. Despite the sweltering weather, I had a great time working on my studio projects and chatting with the crowds. The day concluded with severe storms rolling into the area. We were evacuated to the 4-H Building under some of the eeriest orange skies I’ve ever seen. Thankfully, the walk from the Fine Arts Building was short, but it was quite an experience with blowing debris, dust, and sand instantly sticking to our sweaty skin. The police and fair staff guided us to shelter, where we waited out the storm. The 4-H kids seized the moment and entertained the captive audience with a musical production—they were fantastic! While we sheltered, 4-Hers walked through the crowd, offering water and checking on everyone. The storm passed quickly, and the day ended much cooler, though the fairgrounds required quite a bit of cleanup.

With the help of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota, I borrowed a loom to work on during my residency. It took most of the day to find the time to sit down and start a piece, but I managed to get a decent start on a new work.

Working in an art gallery is pretty great!

This piece will always remind me of late August. It began at the state fair and was finished in my garage, accompanied by the summer cicadas’ song. In many ways, works made on the loom become time capsules for me. I often remember what I was thinking during particular sections of the work. This piece holds the conversations I had with fair visitors, as well as the chats with neighbors passing by my garage. I suppose seeing someone weave in their garage isn’t a common sight—I highly recommend it.

I vividly recall the curiosity of folks and their questions: How does the loom work? Do I work from a sketch? And, of course, the ever-popular, How long does it take?

At the fair, I had a notebook on my table with the prompt: "What do you love about Minnesota?" While many people were happy to engage with me directly, others quietly approached the book and wrote their thoughts without speaking. I expected plenty of comments about nature, state parks, and the lakes, but I was delighted by how many mentioned the people as their favorite part of Minnesota.

I want to extend a big thank you to Jim Clark and the staff of the Fine Arts Center for making me feel welcome, cared for, and for giving me the opportunity to share my work with visitors. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Thanks also to the state fair transportation crew for making it easy to get where I needed to go. A heartfelt thanks to the Weavers Guild of Minnesota for the loan of the loom and to all the members who stopped by with curiosity and support. Finally, thank you to everyone who braved the weather to come out and visit with me.

Join Me at the Great Minnesota Get-Together: One-Day Artist Residency!

July 30, 2024

I am honored to announce that I have been invited to participate in a one-day micro artist residency at the Minnesota State Fair through the Studio: HERE program. This program showcases twelve artists over the twelve days of the fair, providing a unique opportunity for the public to engage with the creative process.

On August 26, from 9 am to 9 pm, I will be in the Fine Arts Building, experimenting and making new work. As part of the event, there will be a special exhibition featuring artists participating in Studio: HERE, including my newest work, Solace.

Studio: HERE aims to reveal the hidden labor of being an artist and offers the public a chance to interact with artists about their processes, work, and experiences. I look forward to sharing my journey and connecting with visitors at this exciting event.