Portfolio > Residencies

I prepared the roving wool cap of the crown before I left home, given the short amount of time and the small suitcase of supplies I was allowed to bring.
Preparing the crown base
Cast Roving Wool, Coconut sticks, Shells, beads, embroidery
6"x8"x8"
2026
The roving wool crown with gold pigment is completed and ready to pack.
Liliuokalani's crown
Roving Wool
6"x8"x8"
2026
I collected shells from the beach to sew into the crown along with pearls. Even though I'm a strong swimmer, the waves were fierce, so I didn't risk swimming.
Papohaku Beach on the West Side of Molokai
Water, sand, stone
Endless
2025
I planned out where the shells and pearls would be sewn on. I started embroidering lilies onto wool.
Liliuokalini's crown
Roving wool, shells
6"x8"x6"
2025
I went on a small private tour with a Hawaiian guide on their sacred land to collect coconut sticks to work into the crown.
Halawa Valley
Rain Forest
Diminishing precious space endangered by real estate
2025
My work table the two weeks of the residency. The ocean sang to me every day and night.
Work Table on Lanai
small and tall, but what a view!
6"x8"x8"
2025
I planned out where the coconut sticks would go before attaching them to the crown. I hammered copper wire into circular circumference to reinforce the rim of the crown.
Liliuokalani's crown
Roving Wool, shells, coconut sticks, pearls, embroidery
6"x8"x8"
2005
To honor the symbols and colors as a tribute to the islands' natural wonders, cultural heritage, and deep-rooted traditions I embroidered patterns and symbols around the lilies.
Detailed work on the crown
embroidery thread
6"x8"x6"
2025

Molokai, Hawaii two week residency February, 2025