Art Chowder July | August 2018, Issue 16 | Page 12

Art Chowder: When did you cross
over into fine art?
helen: I have had a love affair
with fine art for as long as I can
remember so it felt like a natural
progression to blend both of those
passions. I started to focus solely on
my fine art practice about 20 years
ago.
Art Chowder: I saw a post on your
Helen Parsons Fiber Arts Facebook
page — you said you were looking
forward to summer so you could
make more sun prints. What are
those?
helen: Sun prints are GREAT! It
feels like magic! There are dyes
and paints that react to the UV rays
of the sun and can make fantastic
silhouettes of objects placed on the
wet surface of fabrics.  The images
can range from ghost-like shapes
to crisp outlines. The outcome isn’t
always predictable so it’s fun to see
how it develops and the results are
always somewhat of a surprise. 
Art Chowder: What is a thread
sketch?
helen: Thread sketching is a
freehand embroidery technique
commonly used with a sewing
machine. It’s very much like
drawing with a pencil, however
instead of the pencil moving over
the paper, the drawing instrument
stays stationary and the drawing
surface moves under it. Most
modern machines have a basic
function that makes it possible. It’s
an interesting way to lay down an
image for surface design, adding
variations in stitch length, thread
color and composition. 
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ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE
ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE