Laura Petrovich-Cheney Portfolios

My work as a visual artist and writer exists at the intersection of feminism, craft, and memoir, drawing inspiration from stories of resilience, renewal, and hope. At the heart of my practice is an exploration of color, pattern, and texture. With an educational background in fashion design, art history, writing, teaching, and studio arts, I have chosen to align my work with the rich history of textiles. My writing navigates themes of transformation and healing, sharing narratives of personal trauma, complex family dynamics, and recovery from adversity. Across all mediums, my work examines resilience, amplifies second chances, and celebrates the abundant, unexpected, and complex joys of being alive.

In addition to my artistic practice, my work is informed by my botanical studies as a Master Gardener. A desire to take personal responsibility for protecting the planet and to better understand pollinator-friendly plants for my own beekeeping led me to this field. Studying plant life revealed the intricate geometric structures inherent in flowers and foliage, further reinforcing my fascination with pattern and design.

My understanding of quilting, weaving and pattern making has guided me toward the grid as a foundational structure for my compositions. My current sculptures incorporate reclaimed and salvaged wood, much of it collected from homes, including my own, affected by Hurricane Sandy. These materials, once part of personal histories and domestic spaces, form the foundation of works that reflect the intertwined narratives of recovery and the ongoing climate crisis. At the same time, I find myself resisting the rigid gender roles and societal expectations embedded in traditional women's work. Perhaps this tension is what compels me to create wood quilts—challenging stereotypes by merging the softness of quilting with the strength and physicality of woodworking.

As a former fashion designer, I reinterpret quilting, embroidery, sewing, and weaving to explore themes of resilience, fragility, and environmental impact. Through this synthesis of craft, sustainability, and storytelling, my work serves as both a reflection of the past and an urgent call to reconsider our relationship with the natural world.

Artist Statement

My work as a visual artist and writer exists at the intersection of feminism, craft, and memoir, drawing inspiration from stories of resilience, renewal, and hope. At the heart of my practice is an exploration of color, pattern, and texture. With an educational background in fashion design, art history, writing, teaching, and studio arts, I have chosen to align my work with the rich history of textiles. My writing navigates themes of transformation and healing, sharing narratives of personal trauma, complex family dynamics, and recovery from adversity. Across all mediums, my work examines resilience, amplifies second chances, and celebrates the abundant, unexpected, and complex joys of being alive.

In addition to my artistic practice, my work is informed by my botanical studies as a Master Gardener. A desire to take personal responsibility for protecting the planet and to better understand pollinator-friendly plants for my own beekeeping led me to this field. Studying plant life revealed the intricate geometric structures inherent in flowers and foliage, further reinforcing my fascination with pattern and design.

My understanding of quilting, weaving and pattern making has guided me toward the grid as a foundational structure for my compositions. My current sculptures incorporate reclaimed and salvaged wood, much of it collected from homes, including my own, affected by Hurricane Sandy. These materials, once part of personal histories and domestic spaces, form the foundation of works that reflect the intertwined narratives of recovery and the ongoing climate crisis. At the same time, I find myself resisting the rigid gender roles and societal expectations embedded in traditional women's work. Perhaps this tension is what compels me to create wood quilts—challenging stereotypes by merging the softness of quilting with the strength and physicality of woodworking.

As a former fashion designer, I reinterpret quilting, embroidery, sewing, and weaving to explore themes of resilience, fragility, and environmental impact. Through this synthesis of craft, sustainability, and storytelling, my work serves as both a reflection of the past and an urgent call to reconsider our relationship with the natural world.