Throughout my wanderings I have considered the many ways of refuge. When something in a scene stands out, I ask myself what drew my attention. What does the scene or subject remind me of? Whose story comes to mind? What do I feel?

Often I feel peace or excitement and I associate  both with refuge. Then comes: how do I interpret the many aspects of refuge artistically? Please enjoy this slideshow of my exhibit, "On Refuge" and think about where and how you find refuge, peace, or solitude. What qualities of refuge arise?

Silk painting, Triptych 90 x 48 inches, $15,000

Inspired by the changing hues throughout the day and the colors of the rock layers representing geologic time, I created this painting of the view from the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

Silk painting, 10 x 8 inches, Private collection

Lake Michigan brings dramatic weather to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Cottonwood trees eek out a fragile existence in the sandy soil.

Silk painting, 8 x 10 inches, Donated to Schoodic Institute of Acadia National Park

Lichen growing on the rocky shore of Jordan Pond reflect colored facets of the granite ledges lying below the surface on this clear and windless day.

Silk painting, 8 x 10 inches, Donation to Schoodic Institute of Acadia National Park

One of a series of silk paintings donated to the Schoodic Institute to fund scholarships for middle school students attending the SEA program of Acadia National Park

Silk painting (tiled), 31 x 17 inches, $1,600

Chacotay is one of the characters in "Star Trek Voyager". He wears a tattoo on his forehead that symbolizes "heal the earth". The shadows at Grand Canyon reminded me of his message. The tiling is meant to balance the brilliance of the colors and add contemporary and graphic elements to the work.

Silk painting, 8 x 10 inches, Private collection

The trail to Pyramid Point overlook in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore leads through a grove of birch trees. Here is a dark and intimate place, a place ripe for the imagination. This tree appeared to be inhabited by the wisdom of the forest.

Silk painting, Triptych 26 x 20 inches, $1,400

One early spring evening during an artist residency sponsored by Legacy Land Conservancy in SE Michigan, I sat on a log watching waves of waterfowl landing. The Canada Geese were last in, the stillness descended, the sun set, and then there was night.

Silk painting, Triptych 52 x 24 inches, Private collection

"Smokey Sister" is a composite of two images: one of Smokey Mountain ridges and one of the South Sister volcano in Oregon (Courtesy of Mike Putnam Photography).

Silk dye and thread painting, 22 x 36 inches, Private collection

Sunset colors glow all the way down to the Colorado river from this Desert View overlook, Grand Canyon National Park.