56th Anniversary Juried Member's Exhibit - 2024

I am a natural science illustration artist combing my love of fiber arts, painting, and drawing to design modern signature quilted art. Inspired by my Dutch horticulture heritage and historic natural science art, I love exploring the creatures, plants, and landscapes in my native Great Lakes ecosystem with the familiarity and comfort of quilting techniques.

Researching the plant, animal, and/or insect is key to capturing the exact representation. From my drawings and paintings, I create a pattern of my subject taking into account colored fabrics and thread. My stitching and quilting techniques are key mark-making steps, like drawing or painting, to give my pieces depth and texture.

A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design Natural Science Illustration Program, I also teach nature journaling and art workshops.

I work alongside her husband Richard Hawkins, a former ceramic artist, and our cat Maxie, in our Milwaukee, Wisconsin studio. My son Jason DeVries and son-in-law Jonas Nahm live in San Francisco, California.Prior to her art career, I was a corporate marketing executive for over thirty years. Her work has been shown at exhibits throughout the Midwest and is a board member of Wisconsin Craft.