Monday, February 23, 2015

National Fiber Directions

Pleased that two of my works have been selected for National Fiber Directions, in Wichita, KS
Whispers of the Positive

Collage
Hand pulled print, collaged, and sewn watercolor paper, cloth, painted with acrylics, layered with digital images, monoprinting.
Inkjet prints, cyanotype, silk organza, cheesecloth, watercolor paper, ink drawings and mediums.
23x30 

Edge of Winter

Molding Paste, inkAid, photograph, fabric, acrylic, glass bead medium, hand painted fabrics and stitched with pearl cotton.

19x27 
This work was an experiment, what I love to do best. The photograph was taken on a foggy day so there was little detail. I use my textured photograph technique that was published and still available- here. I used pearl inkaid to bring out the glow one finds on those magical days of fog. 

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Designed to Inspire so you'll be Inspired to Design! Collagraphs!

Collagraph's are easy to make!
Use a stiff base like cardboard, foam board etc. Glue low relief items to it.
You can even use a hot glue gun to make marks on the base.
the inked plate
Apply thicker fabric paints, screen printing inks or acrylic paint to the base with a brush. A foam brush will shred so I use a inexpensive bristle brush found at a local mart. These are called 'chip' brushes. Note- I always use washable paints.
rolling out ink with a brayer
Sometimes I just brayer the top of the collagraph to catch the design. Experiment with all techniques to find the one you like the best. 
on Painted Fabric from my Fabric Transformations Workshop
collagraph on a T-Shirt
detail

Friday, February 6, 2015

Painting Fabrics- Sunprinting

Sunprinting is a great excuse to do some plain air painting! Gather your paints on a sunny warm day and go outside. I generally paint on a plastic surface, so I can just spread out on any table.
Most washable paints will work with this technique. The best results will come when the paint dries the quickest and the item you use is in good contact with the wet paint. That said, you can do this inside overnight until the fabric dries but the result will be more hazy and less defined.
 All of the fabrics used are pima cotton and PDF. But you can use any washed non-textured fabric. Texture interferes with the printing results. The fabric above uses cheesecloth for it's print.
This fabric has a print using a section of rug mat. I over-sprayed with 2 different metallics while it was drying resulting in a slight diffused metallic spread. Metallics must be diluted when sprayed or they will clog your spray bottle. There are spray metallic paints available.
A simple toothpick print evokes a fence, bare trees in winter, or playful pick up sticks. Who remembers those?
Natural materials of all sorts can create wonderful prints and you're already outside after all!!
Sunprinting is part of my Fab Fabric Painting Workshop.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Fabric Painting- On A Roll! Brayer Printing

I use inexpensive brayers, found at any hardware or dollar store, to create textured printing. Use inexpensive sponge, foam and textured brayers. 



Paint a sponge brayer with a textured medium to create unique textural mark. Do you still have your old glue gun? Fire it up and decorate a cheap sponge brayer for a very personal mark-making tool.







You can also use any recycled cardboard tubes, toilet paper, corks, even old thread spools to make your own brayers.
Add designs using foam stickies, string, elastic, cloth scraps and you’re on a roll! Try carving an old candle!

Print on a padded surface for the best detail. I have a print/ironing table in my studio. It can be made with firm batting or acrylic wool covered with duck or some sturdy fabric. I staple it directly to the underside of the table. It can be removed when it starts to turn multicolored and re0worked into delightful painted fabric for your art projects.
Hint- I keep my paints upside down when stored. This way I can see the colors readily, the paint is ready to squirt out of the container and it helps seal the paint container for less evaporation.
 simple thread tangled on a brayer
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