MJ says: "When people ask me what I do, I like to tell them “I make the biggest diamonds in the world… But instead of working with the hardest substances on earth, I work with the softest …. cloth.” The idea to create giant gem portraits took hold of my soul 20 years ago and has grown into a passion that has enriched my life as a textile artist.   

The adventure started years ago when, as a novice quiltmaker, I discovered an image of a gorgeous gem. With only a basic understanding of quilting techniques — and no knowledge whatsoever of gemology — I was unsure how to transform that image into a pieced work of art. However, I was convinced there had to be a way. And I was determined to find it. After several years of research and experimentation, I made my first gem portrait.

I work with fabric and paint to create larger-than-life portraits of colored gemstones. Inspired by the image of an actual stone, I study the gem to understand its particular personality — the play of color and light across its facets. My goal is to capture the luminosity of these “divas” and “drama queens.”