“A Girl’s Work Book” is a limited edition artist’s book, made of selections from my paintings and drawings.  These works are paired with texts from Early American samplers.  The book is available by request.  

Starting in the 1600’s in Europe and then in America, young girls worked samplers made up of sewn images accompanied by text.  Usually these texts were biblical or religious in nature, chosen or interpreted by the girl who sewed the sampler.

I found the passages to be strange and compelling.  The writings are acutely aware of life’s transient nature and the constant specter of Death.  I found them particularly haunting, charming, and moving, considering they were created by girls so young.  Girls and women have always been the witnesses to the business of birth, life, and death.

"A Girl's Work Book" is available for purchase upon request.

Love Monkeys Press, 2008

Illustrations by Susan Arena

Text from Early American samplers