“Inspired by the extraordinary energy, diversity and complexity of nature, my collages transform cotton fabrics into colorful playful artworks. Creating them is like surveying and mapping unexplored worlds.”
— Bob Payton
About Bob Payton
Observation is at the heart of my creative practice—whether I’m in the field, in the art studio, or making music. Outdoors on iNaturalist, I document species to better understand the extraordinary web of life. In the studio, I work improvisationally with cotton fabrics, layering fragments into abstract collages that reflect both real and imaginary ecological systems. In music—especially on the Celtic harp, with its resonant and flowing tones—improvisation guides me as it does in fabric, balancing intuition with structure, discovery with form.
Inspired by trees, water, fungi, prairie wildflowers, pollinators, and the shifting rhythms of the seasons, I translate the vitality of the living world into color, texture, and sound. Across these mediums, my work channels the energy, movement, and vibrant spirit of nature, inviting others to look more closely and spark their own imagination.
About the Collages
My abstract fabric collages are a great way to enliven homes, work spaces and even children’s rooms. Creating them is an intuitive and playful process, like improvising music. There is always the opportunity for new and unexpected surprises which adds to the final design!
Using non-descriptive titles, viewers of all ages can explore their own interpretations of each work. They often elicit imaginative responses and conversation!
Design
Making a collage starts with a cloth base pinned to an easel. I cut and affix fabric pieces to the base using fusible web, building up layers of shapes, lines and colors while keeping an eye on balance and motion. At a certain point, I choose a border to frame and accent the interior.
After the design is complete, I arrange a back layer of fabric, lay a middle layer of cotton batting over this, and place the final design layer on top. All three layers are sewn together, then the border strips attached and corners mitered. Finally, everything is strategically stitched (quilted) to create depth and a finished artwork.
Hanging and Care
Each collage has a sleeve sewn on the back, enclosing a wooden stick with a screw eye on each end for hanging. Use monofilament fishing line, twine, picture hooks or tiny nails. For public spaces, they have been framed by professional framers.
For cleaning lightly vacuum or shake. Gently hand wash in cold water. Air dry. Wrinkles can be spritzed with cold water. Avoid rolling up to ship or store but keep flat. Avoid hanging in direct sunlight as colors will fade, but this is also a normal weathering process which adds character.