I like to begin with the eyes, for they are the soul of the person

 

 

I add the sky and leaves.  I like to work around so that I get a good general feel.

  

When I have enough background, I add the hat, beard and neck.

 

I add part of the tree, the shirt and the jacket.  The shirt is made up of the front and back of the same fabric as well as other fabrics that were very close in appearance to each other.

 

I then added the jeans.  They were made from an old denim jacket that I cut up and pressed flat.  I used the inside of the opened seams to give the effect of seams.

 

After adding the rocks, stream, tree, and other background details, Rundy is now ready to threadpaint.

 

Rundy’s face before threadpainting

 

Rundy’s face after threadpainting.

 

Notice the different fabrics used for the shirt.

At shows I constantly overhear people viewing my work say "Oh, she must have used paints". I do not use paints or other media on my work.  For years I painted on canvas and I just do not want to use any now.  I admire the beautiful work done by those who do, but, I  enjoy the challenge of finding the perfect piece of fabric to create illusions.  I do not not create my own fabric.  I have had to make the choice of spending my time creating the fabric, or creating the image.