TODAY'S BEAUTIFUL: How Street Artist Thomas Campbell Makes Quilts

Detail of Mixed Media work by Thomas Campbell. Photograph by Lynn Byrne.

You wouldn't expect something that is so reminiscent of an antique quilt to come from an artist who belongs to a cadre of creatives who call themselves the Beautiful Losers, a bi-coastal group whose work is inspired by the street art culture associated with graffiti, skateboarding, punk, and hip-hop.

Yet, Thomas Campbell's work is diverse. He is a self-taught painter, sculpture, photographer, and filmmaker, who splits his time between "making stuff" in California and traveling the world making films.

This particular "stuff" looks more like Campbell spent his time in a quilting bee, rather than the 'hood. Of course, I love it. I have been collecting antique quilts since early adulthood, and here I am deep into middle age, still transfixed by the textiles, color and shapes.

Campbell employs a variety of media to achieve these pieces including rice bags, packaging envelopes and money. Thread, spray paint, acrylic and paper are also used.

Do you like them as much as I do?

Large Flower 4 Mixed Media Thomas Campbell

P-Wheel quilt and detail by Thomas Campbell

Photo credits: Large Flower 4 and P-wheel quilt from the Joshua Liner Gallery. Detail shot from P-Wheel quilt from Hi-Fructose.