September's Bright Blue Weather by Mary Sustrik

My work is based upon fabric, paint and thread.

I like to work with common materials – cotton rather than silk, six strand embroidery thread, fabric paint. One reason is that these materials are accessible to everyone and there are too many people in this world who are denied the opportunity to grow and develop their art. If I can show what can be done at a reasonable cost then perhaps I can motivate/inspire someone to try my techniques.

My patterns/designs are found in the world around me – in the glory of fields and bushes, rivers and lakes. Country ditches show a multitude of patterns and colours. The excitement is in interpretation of what I see.

The most important difference from my early attempts at embroidery and my current creations is that I have now married my two loves – painting and stitching. The pained background gives me direction while the needle embellishes and emphasizes. New techniques in dying threads have given a further dimension.

A piece has turned out well when it expresses the beauty of the world around me.