Within a week of transferring from Corpus Christi State University to the University of Houston for my senior year of studio art in painting, a house fire ruined most of my wardrobe, not to mention nearly everything else I owned. As a way to reuse/recycle and hang onto the memories and experiences that went into wearing my clothing, I started framing and painting on the material that had been spared. What I wore back then was a style I developed from thrift and army surplus stores, garage sales and the occasional splurge at a vintage boutique, and was best represented by the "grunge" trend of the late 80's and early 90's. Having to reflect on my life, make do with less and use what I had at my disposal began my visual journey using clothing and textiles within my artwork. The stories I get from fabric – known, told to me or made up on my own – fascinate me. The color, style, texture, quality and smell of fabric have always drawn me in for a closer look. Now, some 16 years later, I'm still exploring what can be done with my ever-growing stockpile of fabrics while now representing my personal experiences with motherhood. The physical, emotional and mental intensity has been both beautiful and brutal, and I translate this into a marriage of fabrics and frames that resemble female genitalia and are a series called Girlie Parts Interrupted.