Patterson’s layered stitches interweave with watercolor washes and passages from Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, reflecting her meditations near a creek by her home. “Nature is not only an inspiration but also a collaborator in the making of ‘Darning Needle.’ The dragonfly’s visit became a call to begin this work, its delicate stillness inviting me to align my inner energy with the outer landscape. The creek’s flow mirrors the function of the heart chakra at the center of the piece: just as the heart chakra circulates energy through the body with the breath, water sustains all life. This recognition of interconnection guides my process—each stitch and brushstroke becomes an act of gratitude for the life systems that support and sustain us.”