Ginger is an accomplished textile artist with over 40 years of experience. It’s probably easiest to say that if the material is naturally occurring Ginger knows how to take it from raw resource to finished product, usually using ancient tools and techniques. She even has spinning whorls that date to roman times.
Ginger grew up on a farm, heavily influenced by three generations of people who understood the importance of growing things in cooperation with nature’s way. These ways provide fuel for artwork, writing, and a few musical endeavors.
The locals know her as Wild Ginger – yes, that is part of what Wild Ginger Living is about – but it has nothing to do with what she did in college. She got the nickname during a wild flowers talk at Mohican State Park. She is at home in the woods and is definitely the person you want around if you are lost in the woods and getting hungry. A walk in the woods is always an interesting experience as she points to a plant or a flower and says, usually with a euphoric look in her eye, “That is…and it’s good for…” This passion for nature and teaching others led her to become an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist and a Project Wild Educator.
I grew up on a 100-acre farm in southern Ohio and come from a long line of farmers on both sides of the family. Even though there was a common thread of farming on both sides, they were from two different worlds. My mother’s side of the family owned thousands of acres and used modern factory farming production methods, largely producing corn, soybeans, and cattle on a massive scale. On my Dad’s side, things looked quite different. My Grandmother and Great Grandmother taught me about the sacred connection with the land and about my indigenous heritage. From them, I learned about planting the three sisters and not taking more than you need. These contrasting worldviews gave me a unique perspective.
I have recently stepped into the role of “grandmother”, passing on what she knows to the upcoming generations.
| Ginger’s Artist Statement. | Ginger’s CV. |