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
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
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
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
I donated the crown and the Biography of and by Queen Liliuokalani to the Molokai library. I asked for a photo of someone wearing the crown. Photo courtesy of Paula Scott
Liliuokalani's crown
roving wool, shells, coconut sticks, pearls, embroidery
6"x8"x8"
2025
Library donation of Liliuokalani's Crown and Biography
Library Donation
Liliuokalani's Crown and Biography
2025
After teaching an art class and giving an artists talk at the library I was relaxed and happy to enjoy my last few days on island!
Happy Artist
Enriched me!
2025

Molokai, Hawaii two week residency February, 2025.

I wanted to honor that last living Monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom (1838–1917) Queen Liliuokalani. She spanned a period of time when she both honored her heritage and enjoyed modern fashion. I wanted to incorporate natural materials such as coconut sticks coated in gold powder and shells, as well as cultural symbols and patterns in embroidery, with pearls.