There is a spider and her web in our kitchen window caught between the storm window and the window into the house. I have been watching her all summer.

She seems to be self sufficient and very busy. Food shows up. She builds more web. There are these egg-like shapes that she sculpts and tends. I wonder if they will hatch. Maybe they are mini pantries for meals in the future. I debate about removing the storm window so that she can escape but then I wonder how she got there in the first place. There must be an exit. She chooses to put on this show in the safety of her enclosure. I feel that way sometimes.

I am fascinated by webs and geometry. My phone has hundreds of found textures in its catalog. I never quite know when one of these inspiration shots will show up in my work. This week the webs I have witnessed started showing up in my stitching.

Here’s a series of shots of this work in progress that shows that discovery process.

Step one - intentional meander

I start each morning with a practice piece of stitching, experimenting with density and pattern. This one is kind of a mess so I look for ways to change it. There is no risk in that.

Step two - finding the dialog

Looking for ways to interact with it, I added some wiggly worms with green heads. They make me laugh.

Step three - emphasize the texture

The worms gave me new spaces to define so I find ways to emphasize the texture of the piece. I stitch densely in some places while letting others puff up.

Step four - add some webs

With spider webs in mind I add more detail by stitching over the newly defined shapes with hopping “web” lines.

Step 5 - consider the composition

I’m beginning to like this piece as more than practice stitching. Since all the colors I have used are subtle I want to add more contrast to it in some way. I guess I still have some work to do. Or maybe I will start again with a clearer picture in mind.

I often talk about being in process when making art. If I can divorce myself from my expectations the work becomes more honest and spontaneous. Without the expectation of a successful finished product I learn more. Explore more.

I hope that house spider will last a long time.