Artist Statement: Diatoms are tiny, single-celled aquatic plants that can only be seen with a microscope. Each species has a unique and beautifully complex cell wall. This piece was inspired by an image I photographed with a scanning electron microscope during my career as a Marine Biologist.

Materials & Techniques: Four layers of hand dyed and painted cotton fabric were fused to polyester felt or cotton batting. Openings were made in the three top layers to show the layers below. All layers were machine quilted together.

Dimensions: 40.5W x 28"H

Photographer: Carla Stehr