Age No Impediment to Fiber Artist’s Creativity

Rita Zurrell

Back in the 1970s, Rita Zerull got bored painting landscapes and decided to try her hand at abstract work. But try as she might, her paintbrush wouldn’t cooperate with her fertile mind.

So, the Escondido resident instead decided to apply abstract techniques to her lifelong hobby of embroidery, and a new star of the fiber art world was born.

“I never picked up a paintbrush again,” said Zerull, who will turn 89 this fall. “With thread, there are no rules. I just start and see what comes out.”

Long recognized as one of the region’s most versatile and iconic fiber artists, Zerull will be honored later this month with her first museum exhibition.

Knot Aging: Rita Zerull’s Embellished Life” opens July 21 and runs through Oct. 7 at the Visions Art Museum at Liberty Station in San Diego.