My artwork is all created by hand using ordinary knitting needles and various pliers. I have developed my own technique of knitting with wire, which I call “knitting off the needle.” With my technique I use only one needle at a time for the purposes of pulling the stitch and controlling the stitch size.
http://www.wireknits.etsy.com
I am often moved by nature when creating by artwork. With my sculptures and baskets, I sometimes look to the creatures of the ocean floor as a starting point. Other times I look to desert cactus as my inspiration. Both sources are clearly referenced in my artwork through the use of symmetry and the incorporation of spiral and scalloped patterns. In a more subtle way, my artwork is often about contrasts. Although my artwork is fluid and organic in form, the materials used to create it are stiff and industrial. Another contrast in my work comes from the technique used to create it. The pieces are created by knitting with wire. Knitting usually is associated with soft drape constructions, however I carefully stitch the piece to create a rigid architectural structure. I began to experiment with wire knitting a number of years ago. Initially, I was dissatisfied with the results that I was getting, when keeping the stitches on the needle. I could not consistently control the stitch size, tension, or gauge. I then took a second look at knitting as a craft, realizing that the only reason to keep stitches on a needle is to prevent runs and that wire doesn’t run. I have since developed a technique of knitting “off the needle,” which has lead to the work I am doing today. Being pliable yet retaining form, knitted wire as a medium has allowed me the freedom to create shapes and designs that would be impossible with other materials.
