Four tiny (about .75″ high) Arizona landscapes handpainted onto heavy canvas, then beaded. The beads are mostly #14 and #15 glass seed beads, with a few larger seed beads used for texture. The smaller beads are under 1 millimeter in size.
The two panels at the top are mostly done, while I still have the sky to do on the lower two panels. You can see my scribbled guide marks and design changes. The raw canvas seen behind the beads will be hidden by painted color-washes.
They’ll eventually be framed by other beadwork and leather borders and turned into a 23″ hatband. That will go around a magnificent black felt cowboy hat that is heading off to the wilds of Nelson, New Zealand. A friend of mine hails from there, spent a couple of decades in the States, and had the good sense to get the hell out last January. We’re Goodwill thrift store buddies (how he got the hat). He’s one of the most skilled movie-prop mold makers I know, and our local D-movie horror film industry is the poorer for his absence.
He looks damn good in the hat, and the hatband should make everything a little crazier. Nelson is an arty town with some background in fiber arts; if I can’t visit, at least my art can!
I drew inspiration from the Brit West line of hatbands, and some other artists who just floor me with their skill. I hope my piece turns out a tenth as good. I’m always on the lookout for new art media and projects, especially things that can sell.
Purses sell, but I loathe most designer purses. Hatbands, I find interesting. Chalk it up to being reared in the Four Corners, I guess.
These embroideries are also test pieces, since I want to do the same style of landscape beadwork for an Edward Abbey quote (The Benedicto; if I can ever get the Abbey estate holders to let me do it.)