First I create color. I start with white fabric and using dyes and paints I create my palette of colors, textures and patterns. This is the fun messy part of my process. Kind of like finger painting.
The second step involves cutting up my fabric and arranging it into an interesting composition. After I’ve found a dynamic composition, I stitch the fabric back together.
This is the hardest part. It’s a dance between planning ahead and improvisation – like putting together a puzzle where the pieces are constantly changing size throughout the project.
I LOVE the challenge.
Making marks by painting and stamping is the third process in my studio practice. I use tools mostly associated with sewing (such as empty spools of thread) and a selection of hand carved stamps to make my marks.
In the forth step I create texture across the surface with oodles of thread. It takes hours and hours to add the dense stitching to the work.
This is currently my favorite part of the process. The soothing repetition of sewing straight lines back and forth. For hours and hours. Meditation.
