Io the Alien / Sarah Spencer

Excited to announce that I will be a guest on Quilting Arts TV, hitting PBS stations this Fall. We shot 3 segments this morning, and I can’t wait to share my tricks with you! #quiltsky

Super excited to be teaching my first workshop of 2026 online on February 7th! Hope you can join me and @craftymonkies.bsky.social www.craftymonkies.com/event-detail...

I’m super excited to announce a new workshop with @craftymonkies.bsky.social: Learn thread painting with me in 2026! Grab your spot soon, as my last workshop sold out. 💥 www.craftymonkies.com/live-zoom-wo...

I’m particularly satisfied of this ink drawing I did of David Bowie. I couldn’t resist adding some copper watercolor to his forehead. This one is currently en route to his new home. 💖 #artsky #bowie

Bill Nighy, amirite? (He’s a delight)

Listening to my kid’s tv show, I misheard “heroes of the day” as “here is a bidet,” and I realized: they’re totally interchangeable. Slide one into your conversations today. 🤘 Including an image of a thread portrait I made for eye candy. #artsky

I recently created this work, honouring the inimitable Kate Bush. She’s an incredible artist, pioneer, and someone I respect for doing things her own way. Do you have a favourite Kate Bush song?

I created a little video of one of my latest artworks coming together. This, and a few more will be arriving on my website soon. As always, I’m celebrating the weirdos, sh!t disturbers and makers of good trouble.💥 #artsky #textileart #mixedmediaart #artcollecting

Studio vibes at night. #artsky #workinprogress

A little video I made of my latest portrait coming together. I love rebellious subjects, particularly women. This one is based on @gayesuakyol.bsky.social Acrylic & cotton thread on canvas #textileart #chicagoartist #mixedmediaart

I’m really proud of this painted and stitched portrait. The final size with frame is 13” x 13”. She’ll be coming with me to Talking Threads in Ames, IA opening Saturday 4pm at the Gallery in the Round. A Normal Venusian, pt 2., 2025 Cotton, acrylic, polyester on wood frame

I made this piece on my birthday: a thread portrait of Tina Turner. This one is filled with birthday magic.

Sharing a super satisfying part of my process. 👌 This is a heat-erasable ink I use in my thread portraits. #artsky #fiberart

I decided to draw a little bigger today. I normally sketch on an 8” x 8” sketchbook, but I decided to use a sheet of 12” x 16” paper.

@mallory-gallery.bsky.social How’d I do?

This idea.

New thread sketch: the one and only Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth. Who should I do next? Bonus points for badass women.

New work, new solo show The Magician debuts at my new solo show, Talking Threads, at the Gallery in the Round in Ames, IA. Opening night is Aug 2, 4-6pm My subject is the avant garde artist, Björk. My goal was to capture the playful, enigmatic spirit of one of the most singular artists of our time

Stitched portrait of Mark Mothersbaugh from Devo.

Week 2 of drawings of lips —now with teeth! These are a few studies of Marilyn Monroe’s lips. It’s fun to draw people wearing makeup. 😛

Some studies of lips I did for my facial feature drawing class. I’m normally too lazy to bring out my easel, but seeing the difference it makes will have me prioritize it in the future.

Just shipped these off for photography and inclusion in a little tv show I’ll be featured in next Fall. Stay tuned for more details! These are all fabric, no paint! #textileart #artsky #quiltsky

I’ve got so much new stuff coming your way. I can’t wait to share what I’m doing this July. 🤘#quiltsky #artsky

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: drawings of a pierced nose at three different angles.

Just put the finishing touches on the latest in my Textile Sketch series. Made from cotton, silk, and bamboo mounted onto a wood frame, he measures 18” x 18” x 1.5”. Textile Sketch #6: Robert Smith #thecure #artsky

Drawing more and more eyes for a facial feature class I’m taking at the Palette and Chisel Academy. Soon you’ll see random drawings of noses and ears from me… so you can look forward to that.

I finished my version of the Royally Striped cardigan (pattern by Stephen West) on Sunday. The first time I wore it out, someone tried to buy it off my back, so I guess it turned out okay. 😛 I rarely post my knitting, though I’ve been a knitter far longer than I’ve been a quilter! #knitsky

Happy 68th birthday to the one and only Siouxsie Sioux! Born May 27, 1957, she’s as iconic today as when she played with the Banshees. Rock on Siouxsie! Thanks for bringing your authenticity to the world. 🤘🔥💥

Cool thing about being an artist #117: we’re very good at entertaining ourselves on airplanes. (A graphite drawing, and an ink & watercolor drawing of Prince from today’s flight)

**Not my work** Some of my favorite quilts from Quilt National, in no particular order. (Artist names in alt text) pt. 2/2

**Not my work** Some of my favorite quilts from Quilt National, in no particular order. (Artist names in alt text) pt. 1/2

And there she is, hanging in all her glory. She looks so vibrant in the light. 🔥🔥🔥 #quiltnational

They put a picture of my quilt on my name tag, and now it feels like I’m giving the finger to everyone I meet. (This tickles me to no end) #quiltnational

I’m in Athens, Ohio this weekend for the opening of Quilt National at the Dairy Barn Arts Center. I can’t wait to meet the other artists, and to see this bad-ass hanging among some of the best fiber art in the world.

I recently reworked a piece I made last year, adding extra stitching to his face and golden beams radiating from him. Proof that old work kicking around the studio can be a good thing. Textile Sketch #3: Saul Williams 30” diameter

Ahhh! This looks fantastic! Brava on the execution here —your use of prints is 🔥👌. Check THIS out @craftymonkies.bsky.social!

Everyone in the past was neurotypical, which is how we got things like this single-author, eight-volume encyclopedia of ferns

Ooooooh y’all! My Bowie painting is almost done! Imma let him sit a few days before making my final tweaks. #oilpastel #artsky

Just put the finishing touches on a thread portrait of Prodigy’s Keith Flint. I’m liking how he looks in the floater frame. The Firestarter, 2025 Cotton thread on canvas, wood frame 8”x8”

Continued progress on my oil pastel painting of David Bowie. The background, his sweater, and a few tiny tweaks to his eyes are all that’s left. 💥 #artsky #oilpastel #workinprogress

I’m back on air this morning at @chirpradio.org playing commercial-free music from 6-9am. Hang with me? Listen at chirpradio.org or 107.1fm In Chicago. 💥

Finally getting around to do some initial color/value blocking of an oil pastel painting I’m doing of my lifelong inspiration, David Bowie. 💖

Y'all are going to get sick of me posting these... Here's one I did today of Blondie's Debbie Harry. Size: 8" x 8" cotton thread, cotton canvas, wood frame #quiltsky #artsky

I made another thread portrait, guys! It's my first crush, David Bowie as Jareth from Labyrinth. Details: I've Brought You a Gift, 2025 8" x 8" cotton and polyester thread, cotton canvas, wood frame #textileart #davidbowie

My experiment worked! I turned my Talking Heads sketches into stitched portraits. 😛 Talking Threads, 2025 18” x 18” Cotton thread, canvas, wood frame #artsky #quiltsky #davidbyrne #tinaweymouth #chrisfranz #jerryharrison

I think a Talking Heads stitched portrait will be next… #artsky #quiltsky

My textile portrait of Taylor Swift is done, and she cute! 30” diameter, textile mounted to wood frame. #quiltsky #artsky

I’m thinking of you today, Canada! I cast my (absentee) ballot a few weeks ago. Today’s election is a big one. Get out and vote, Canucks!