Soaring Creativity
Vermont-based artist takes kite-making to another level
Story and photos by Kevin Fellows
Thompson, shown here, posing with several of his hand painted
kites
Like a food dish that is too beautiful to eat, Jim Thompson’s painted kites are too pretty to fly.
While his craft only started in March 2011, the Montpelier, Vt., resident made his first kite many years ago. “In my early twenties, I was teaching art at a special education school,” Thompson says. “I made some kites with the kids, and then I made some on my own just to fly.” The kites that made their way home were transformed into lions and butterflies with acrylic paint.
A man of many interests, Thompson moved on, determined to translate his creativity to music. “I gave up art, put down the paint brush, and concentrated on my music,” Thompson says. Originally trained as a percussionist, he taught himself piano and sang with his own band, Stretch ‘n’ the Limits, for many years. Similar to his painted kites, Thompson’s band covered a wide variety, playing everything from old country to the blues. “We could swing out just about anything,” Thompson says.
“I wasn’t able to play music, so I was looking for another creative outlet.”
A neck injury in August 2010 brought a sudden halt to Thompson’s musical days. After a carnival ride with his son, he found himself struggling to balance and suffering from splitting headaches. Thompson was later diagnosed with cervical vertigo. Unable to continue work, he was forced to take early teacher retirement in Montpelier. “I wasn’t able to play music, so I was looking for another creative outlet,” Thompson says.
The kite subjects vary but all have eyes, such as this sun in
the process of being finished
To stay motivated, he focused on photography and framing. On one trip to the hardware store, Thompson noticed the same type of wooden dowel he used to make kites with as an art teacher. “I thought it might be fun to make a couple of kites and that’s when it all started—last March,” Thompson says. “Just like that, on a whim.”
At the time, he was negotiating with the owners of a store in Montpelier called The Uncommon Market. Thompson wanted to display some of his recent photographs, but there was little available wall space, so he proposed selling his kites. “When he mentioned he made kites, I thought it would be awesome to hang them,” owner Sharon Allen says. “We have a tall ceiling with a white background, so I was psyched about it.” Thompson brought over seven kites, which he and Allen hung in the market.
To make sure people noticed, Thompson made signs that said ‘look up.’ “We put information about the kites on the counter and people would say, ‘That’s so cool—you should have those here.’ I would laugh and point up,” Allen says. “The funny thing is that kids notice them instantly and adults have to be told in order to see them.”
“The thing is that even when people don’t have wall space, they always have ceiling space.”
A lion gazes out piercingly. Thompson's goal is to create an emotional attachment with the viewer.
What started as a hobby was now taking off as a career. For Thompson, the next step was a full exhibition in a gallery. “He is a local artist here, so we knew him, and then he approached us about his kite project,” says Norbert Ender, owner of Speaking Volumes, a gallery in Burlington, Vt., that often features regional artists. Thompson’s three-month exhibition over the summer displayed seven of his painted kites. “They’re attractive and well done,” Ender says. “People are very interested in them.”
Soon, Thompson began receiving orders for custom kites from people in the area who saw his work on display. The requests usually entail animals, such as pets, but others are more unique, like a family portrait and even Lady Gaga.
Each kite takes Thompson a few days to complete. Wooden dowels are cut and soaked to mold then notched and lashed together with fishing line. A guide is drawn on paper then painted over and left to dry. “I enjoy the whole process,” Thompson says. Most sell for $100 to $150.
“I have become an artist and kite-maker instead of a musician at this phase of my life,” Thompson says with a laugh. “The thing is that even when people don't have wall space, they always have ceiling space.”
