Artist Statement: This was inspired by a highly magnified image of fish skin that I photographed with a scanning electron microscope during my previous career as a Fisheries Biologist. Heavy quilting and paint were used to suggest the tiny ridges that cover the surface of each skin cell, and two layers of painted polyester material were used to suggest the cells that make fish slime.

Materials & Techniques: White cotton fabric was quilted with white cotton thread to form the ridges. Diluted paint was applied after quilting. Further quilting was done with colored rayon thread between the ridges. Openings were cut through the entire quilt. Two layers of painted non-woven polyester material (Lutradur), patterned with a heat tool and backed by cotton were sewn into the quilt openings..

Dimensions: 19"W x 34"H

Photographer: Carla Stehr