Installation Art
"Be Nice"
2015
68 paper doilies, 2" diameter
In response to the tragedies that seem to becoming more frequent around the world, "Be Nice" is a project in effort to spread peace and positive thoughts. Sixty-eight varying phrases of encouragement and inspiration were individually hand written on to delicate paper doilies that sized four inches wide. They were distributed around Northern Illinois University, Sycamore, and Dekalb, Illinois. Each doily's message corresponded to the environment in which they were placed. Words to embrace positive body image were tacked to mirrors in public restrooms. Encouragement to raise strong children were distributed in maternity sections of stores. Supportive phrases were placed in Cole Hall, the location of a tragic massacre on Northern Illinois University's campus in 2008. Other general words of love were situated throughout the community wherever seemed to fit, and wherever would be seen. As a whole, we need to stop making excuses that others will change the world. If everyone had these thoughts, nothing would be done. Everyone can make a change, even if it is passing along one positive thought at a time. That may make someone's day much more bearable, and that matters for something.
2015
68 paper doilies, 2" diameter
In response to the tragedies that seem to becoming more frequent around the world, "Be Nice" is a project in effort to spread peace and positive thoughts. Sixty-eight varying phrases of encouragement and inspiration were individually hand written on to delicate paper doilies that sized four inches wide. They were distributed around Northern Illinois University, Sycamore, and Dekalb, Illinois. Each doily's message corresponded to the environment in which they were placed. Words to embrace positive body image were tacked to mirrors in public restrooms. Encouragement to raise strong children were distributed in maternity sections of stores. Supportive phrases were placed in Cole Hall, the location of a tragic massacre on Northern Illinois University's campus in 2008. Other general words of love were situated throughout the community wherever seemed to fit, and wherever would be seen. As a whole, we need to stop making excuses that others will change the world. If everyone had these thoughts, nothing would be done. Everyone can make a change, even if it is passing along one positive thought at a time. That may make someone's day much more bearable, and that matters for something.
Phrases on doilies- each new doily begins with the slash.
Be Nice./ Turn your cants into cans and your dreams into plans./ Don’t fill your head with worries, there won’t be room for anything else./ Do what you need to do until you can do what you want to do./ Spread love./ It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice./ The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence./ I am proud of you./ You are strong./ Be stubborn about your goals and flexible about your methods./ No rain, no flowers./ Creativity is as important as literacy./ When it rains, look for rainbows. When it is dark, look for stars./ Be the change you wish to see in the world./ Be stronger than your excuses./ You can./ Be careful what you think. Your thoughts run your life./ The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch and do nothing./ Your body is not a battleground./ Own your own body./ You are more than your size, your shape, and the number on the scale./ To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance./ Your smile brightens the room. You are lovely./ You got out of bed and are here, I am proud of you./ Every calorie is not a war./ Your value is not measured in pounds./ Looking into a mirror is not an invitation to bash your beautiful body./ You are not fat, you have fat. You also have fingernails, you are not fingernails./ Your smile brightens the room./ You are more beautiful than you know./ Be like the turtle, at ease in your own shell./ Your body is not wrong, society is wrong./ Happiness is not size specific./ We think cats are adorable no matter how skinny or fat, so why do we treat humans different?/ I am proud of you./ Loving yourself is the greatest revolution./ You will raise a strong child./ Raise your words not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder./ Embrace your adventures ahead./ You will raise a beautiful child./ Remember you are not raising an inconvenience; you are raising a human being./ The most effective way to raise a nice person is to be a nice person./ A great adventure is about to begin./ Your child will change the world./ A calm sea never made for a skilled sailor./ Raise a child who won’t have to recover from their childhood./ Teach love and acceptance to your child./ Be a strong role model for your child./ Teach love and acceptance to your family./ The love you take is equal to the love you make./ You are capable of grand things./ Become a strong role model for your child./ Practice love and patience to your child./ You are the positive influence for the next generation./ Practice understanding./ Become a strong role model for the next generation./ Teach love and compassion to your child./ Be a strong role model./ Be a positive figure. You are the change./ Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world./ Sky above, earth below, peace within./ It is not the load that breaks you down, it is the way you carry it./ An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind./ Do small things with great love./ The less you respond to negative people, the more peaceful your life will become./ Peace begins with a smile./ May your heart be brave, your mind be fierce, and your spirit free./ Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.
"Seven Woven Wonders"
2015
5 x 3'
The Seven Wonders of the World are each uniquely beautiful on levels that are near impossible to replicate, let alone hold a worthy and accurate memory of them. Through various fibers and found objects woven within seven embroidery hoops, each wonder of the world is depicted abstractly as an essence is captured.
2015
5 x 3'
The Seven Wonders of the World are each uniquely beautiful on levels that are near impossible to replicate, let alone hold a worthy and accurate memory of them. Through various fibers and found objects woven within seven embroidery hoops, each wonder of the world is depicted abstractly as an essence is captured.