River Woman: Anhinga

11 x 12 in.

Water is the giver of life and a symbol of femininity, continuity, and care. Alabama’s rivers form a vital ecological and cultural network, shaping both land and identity. This work is inspired by the Anhinga, a water bird native to the Tennessee River, often observed emerging from the water with wings outstretched in stillness.

This posture is not one of flight, but of recovery. The Anhinga becomes a metaphor for feminine resilience—the ability to endure immersion, to pause, and to restore. Through layered fabrics, hand stitching, and flowing textures, I reference the river as a living body and the bird as a quiet presence within it. The work reflects on water as a sacred resource and on She as a sustaining current moving from source to sea.

A selection of quilts designed to bring warmth and inspiration to hospital visitors and staff.