| Jim Thompson is a musician, photographer, poet and artist who has lived in Montpelier,
Vermont for the past 55 years. In his early twenties he learned to make kites.
Most of his kites then were the traditional diamond shape on which he painted faces.
He also made some large butterfly kites of a three-stick design. In March of 2011, he took up the craft again. Jim makes the kites with brown packing/wrapping paper on a frame of wooden dowels and string, and then paints them with acrylic paints. Each kite is a unique face - animals, people, sun and moon, etc. Jim does create kites for people on commission and will be glad to create a kite of your pet, favorite animal, or even favorite person. |
 Kite of the Day |
Jim's kites are mostly hung as works of art, but they are designed to fly. In flight they may take on a stronger personality as if the wind breathes life into them. All you need is a bridle and some kite string. The bridle is a length of string approximately 5 feet in length that is tied to the top and bottom of the kite. Some instructions call for the bridle to be mounted six inches or so from the top and bottom, requiring holes to be punched through the art work. This can be done and may provide more stability in flight, but Jim has successfully flown his kites with the bridle tied to the tips. If you choose to punch holes it is a good idea to reinforce the back of the kite in those areas with a piece of packing or duct tape. |
