Describe yourself in five words.
A passionate, focused, intense, funny, dog-lover.

What inspires you?
It’s hard to say specifically because I find inspiration literally everywhere.

If you could live in a different era, which one would it be?
The future—I’m very curious to see what happens next.

It seems that spools of thread inspire you with stunning results. What is hidden behind this specific selection of material?
Nothing is hidden. Thread spools are stunningly beautiful objects, and they happen to be pixel-like in their shape.

How did everything start?
I am a believer in the “Big Bang” theory. My personal big bang was asking myself the question: “How does a sculptor, who deals with mass, volume, and materiality, respond to the digital nothingness of a pixel?”

Suppose Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, and Jan van Eyck were alive and within earshot. How would you react, and what would you say to each of them?
I tend to be shy when meeting people I admire, so I’d likely be a little tongue-tied. I’d want to show da Vinci and van Eyck my work based on theirs and ask for their thoughts. As for Picasso… hmmm… he was such a ladies’ man, I think I’d keep my distance.

How much time do you need to complete each piece of art?
It ranges from a month to six months.

Could you give us a small description of the design process for your thread sculptures?
This recent PBS feature program offers an in-depth look at my process: [Link to feature]

You are going for a weekend “somewhere” and can invite seven famous people, dead or alive. Where would you go, and who would they be?
I’m not very social these days. I’d rather go to a dog agility camp or competitive trial (my hobby). I’d bring my husband, my dog, and any friends (and their dogs) who also love dog agility.

What does art mean to you, and what makes it different from design?
The line between art and design is getting blurrier, which I think is good for both. I can’t define exactly what art means to me other than it’s what I do most days, and I can’t imagine a better way to earn a living.

Which is your favorite artwork and why?
It’s impossible to choose. There are aspects of different works I like best, but I don’t have a singular favorite.

Describe your perfect day.
Today is perfect so far. I just heard my dog’s toenails ticking on the floor upstairs, and now he’s greeting me with a wagging tail and sleepy face. The sun is rising here in Woodstock, New York. I have a hot cup of coffee in front of me, a clear idea of work to do in the studio today, dinner plans with friends at my favorite Woodstock restaurant, “The Bear,” and spring is just around the corner.