Three Moons Rising is a textile triptych of one's life journey. The first moon rises over the new birth in the canyon where towering walls shelter new beginnings. The second moon ascends over the plateau, illuminating the path of a mature person navigating responsibility and self-discovery. The third moon glimmers above the river valley, bathing an elder in gentle light near flowing waters. Hand-dyed textiles, created pottery pieces, and vintage deer skin combine as an imagined landscape inviting the viewer to enter and contemplate their own time within the landscape.

Currently Featured At: Ormond Art Museum

December 18, 2025 – March 1, 2026

Trios, triples, triads, trilogies, triplets, trinities, triptychs. According to the Rule of Three, ideas, thoughts, events, characters, or sentences that are presented in threes are especially interesting, more effective, and memorable. Like a trio of jazz musicians, three regions — Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina — of the Studio Art Quilt Associates have combined to play with syncopation, swing, and creative freedom. In this juried exhibition, fiber artists respond to the concept of TRIO featuring varying materials, methods and subjects.

Three Moons Rising, 42” x 30”

Marcia Derse is a fiber artist extraordinaire. She produces art that is then made into fabric yardage. I bought a one yard piece of fabric from her and created a textile piece. I used scrap fabrics and a vintage piece of crochet work. Once the piece was completed I realized that the piece was Marcia Derse. The color, rhythm, shapes and forms in her original fabric yardage were the celebration. I thanked her profusely via email. She graciously responded that she was always interested in how her material was used. It was a turning point for me. I am now on a solo journey. I will let you know where it leads me.

Created using a hessian coffee bag from a free trade coffee company. Inspired to recycle and reuse is an ongoing theme in my design work. Awarded prize money Georgia Art League, Gainesville, GA.

Inspired by the coast and white sand beachs of Perdido Key, FL. Indigo dyed gauze over commercial fabric.

Stamped and dyed fabrics. It was great fun to create and a nod to Dr. Seuss. Purchased during an art auction by an artist in Washington State.

This piece was created for a Challenge. Yearly, ECQG chooses a theme and members are asked to create a piece using the theme. The theme in 2024 was music. I worked on this quilted Textile piece in 2023 and completed it in time for the reveal January, 2024. The participants voted it as their favorite. I was thrilled by the honor. Each of the artists are accomplished and their works were outstanding. My piece is inspired by Native American flute music.

On another note this is a favorite of mine. It will pass to my grandson, Vinny Chiaffredo.

Sacred Threads is a nationwide organization whose purpose is to provide venues where art emotion is center stage. This piece was created for the show in Maryland. This place exists near Roswell, GA. Daily I crossed a small bridge on my way home from work. Looking at the stream produced a calm, quiet reflection and left office stress behind.

A commissioned piece that celebrated a father daughter trip made to Peru. The mountains are squeezed inside the curved portion at the top of the work. The valley below is a riot of colorful flowers and plants. Created for a wall niche in Nevada City, CA.

SAQA Spotlight Auction

As a member of SAQA we are asked to create Postcard sized Textile Art pieces that can be sold during events. This little bird just showed up while I was working our the design. The background was printed using a Gelli plate and the tea dyed netting shelters the bird. Additional stitching onto the piece secures the 3 layers necessary to call this a quilted piece.

Commissioned for a family home in Forsyth County, GA. The brief was to create a scene appropriate for their contemporary home. Shown at an art show in Marietta, GA.

This is Bella Arte. As a young child growing up in an Italian neighborhood, my grandfather called me Bella. You can subscribe to my posts if you'd like to stay up to date and receive emails when new content is published.