How I start a new piece

People have asked me how I create my thread paintings. This is a difficult question to answer. It depends on many things. Sometimes it needs inspiration. Sometimes I need to know that the piece that I want to do is possible with this technique. Other times I just need to sit down and start doing it.

With the summer Art-A-Fair Festival season fast approaching, I really need to create some new pieces. So, why not take you along with me on the journey.

I am currently working on pieces with an ocean theme. A friend reminded me that the Newport to Ensenada sailboat race started last Friday. It was a good excuse to go to the beach and take some reference photos.

The sailboats were too far offshore to get any really good shots, but I did get some other interesting photos. After I got home and started looking at the photos, I found a few that I liked. I narrowed this list down to the four in the image above.  Now remember, these are reference photos so I can change the lighting and make things more visible, like Catalina Island in the upper right and lower left images.

Now it comes down to a decision process. Which image do I like the best? Which one would work best with my thread painting technique? Which one can I make most quickly? Do I need to go out and buy new fabrics for any of these?

There are lots of questions to be answered before I actually start on a piece. Right now I am going to let the questions simmer for a couple of days. If you have a preference for one of these photos, let me know.

In the meantime, I have to get ready for the Talmadge Art Show tomorrow (Sunday, May 1). Since many of you were asking for them, I make several of the longer scarves. I am also in the process of making a couple of music themed pillows. (They’re about halfway done right now.)

So, if you are in the San Diego area, the Talmadge Art Show is at the Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Rd. San Diego, off of Harbor Drive and Laning. The hours are 10am to 4pm.
Hope to see you there!


Talmadge Art Show - May 1, 10am - 4pm
Liberty Station Conference Center
2600 Laning Rd. San Diego