Marvie Time at #336 In Studio Workshops

Drying Fabric Painting

Basic Silkscreening 

More MORE!

Workshops Coming Up and New Gallery Blog

UpLIFTMeNTs!

My new gallery for small works blog!

http://wenredmond.blogspot.com 

AND

Join Wen in her own studio in Rollinsford, NH, for 

In Studio Workshops in Surface Design  APRIL 2012                

Spring in on Saturdays

4-week series covers a variety of surface design methods…

APRIL 7     Fab Fabric Painting- just featured at Pro Chem

APRIL 14   Basic Silk-screening

APRIL 28   Creating Thermal Fax Silkscreens

MAY 5        Stalking the Wild Print –published in Cloth Paper Scissors 2011

           

You'll learn new techniques or be inspired by new ideas.

            Wen Redmond, a fabric artist for over 30 years, will offer the workshops at her studio, #336, at Salmon Falls Mills, 1 Front St. Rollinsford, NH. (Directions www.millartists.com or GPS)

            The workshops run from 10-4. The first day will start at 9:30 for registration and payment. The cost is $295.00 for entire series or $80.00 per individual class. There is a small materials fee for each workshop.

            There is only room for 6 students so register early. There will be a registration fee of ½ total cost to hold your place in the workshop. For example, if you take all four workshops a total registration fee of $147.50 is due one month aheadof workshop. Workshops will be cancelled 2 weeks in advance if it is a no go. I will return your checks if this is the case.

            When filled, I will post workshop as closed on my tab on my blog. http://fiberartgoddess.blogspot.com.

           

To Register 

EMAIL Wen at wenredmond@yahoo.com for enrollment information and workshop supply list. Please indicate “surface design class”.

 To insure maximum individual attention to each person’s artistic interests, there will be only 6 participants in each of the 2012 classes.

Registration OPENS for all workshops January 10, 2012.

Registration CLOSES for all workshops March 15, 2012. 

I appreciate your support!

Creating Thermal Fax Images using Photoshop Options

This post deals with several options to create the Black and White image you will need to create a Thermal Fax Silkscreen. 

Fiber sculpture by Anda Klancic

The best screens for thermal fax need to be created from photos that are pure black and white photos. 

The original image is first simply converted to a Black and White image. Go to Image>Adjustments >Black and White. I duplicated this image to use so I could retain the original Black and White image to return to to use again if I chose.

For the first option, I used Filters. Filter>Sketch>Stamp. This image resulted which could be used for a negative silkscreen. All the black areas would be burned. This is where the paint will be placed.

I prefer a positive image. To create this, go to Image.Adjustments.Invert. This will invert the colors so the subject in this photo is in black. The result is too thick, not detailed enough for what I had in mind.

As with most everything, there are different ways to do things. For above image, I returned to the original Black and White image and went to Image>Adjustments>Brightness/Contrast. A small window with a slider will pop up. I slid the brightness first to lighten the image, than the contrast to darken the subject. I needed to up contrast several times to get a high contrast or dark subject. I decided this image was too delicate.

For this final image, I again returned to the original Black and White Image. This time I went to Image>Adjustments>Curves. A pop up window will show a scale. I slid the small triangle to the right, while watching my image. When I saw the desired darken image, I went to Adjustments> Brightness/Contrast and upped the contrast to create a dark high contrast image. This highlites all the veins in the leaf that I found so attractive. Perfect! This result has the detail I want and is dark enough to create a great Thermal Fax SilkScreen!
Copy and paste image onto a letter size file with a 1/2" border. Repeat until you have 4 images on a letter size file.

Silkscreen Mask using Plastic

    Each screening mask can produce different results. You can use torn paper, wax, tape, contact paper- all sorts of things. One of my favorites is to use simple 4 ml painter’s plastic tarp. This technique creates durable silkscreen masks.

            To start, remove wrinkles for a less creased plastic, place in dryer BRIEFLY- do not walk away- for 30 seconds or so.

            

I cut the plastic slightly larger than the size of the screen when laying on it's back. Mark where your well is with permanent marker. The well is the section of screen masked by tape. You can create your designs on the same size paper then lay the plastic over this and trace. Cut out with craft knife or scissors. 

Hint- Use a magazine image to trace around.

            To print- Lay the plastic on a piece of test fabric, place screen on top and place your thicken dye or fabric paint in the well. 

Firmly squeegee at a 45 degree angle in one or 2 passes. Too much force can blur your design; too little force won’t get the paint though. 

Here’s the magic. The paint sticks the plastic to the back of your screen, no tape needed!

Use 2 colors to make a blend. I usually just keep adding paint and get some really cool blends. You can wipe off at any time too. I always wipe onto a piece of cloth instead of using a paper towel or washing all that delicious color down the drain. The wipe cloths are often very cool themselves.

Hint- As you print, if you print over any wet surfaces, plastic will stick there too. If you do this, make sure as you lift, the plastic comes up with the screen.

Text- Adding text is a snap. Trace your paper design by placing the plastic on top. Make sure you create bridges- for example-  so the center of the e doesn't fall out. And be sure to print with the letters wrong side to you.

Deconstructed Digital Imagery

OK, I'm washing out my thermal fax silkscreen after using it-

usually I squeegee out remaining paint onto a cloth whilst, ( don't cha love that word!),

spraying with water- a good start for another piece of art

cloth.

I was in a hurry and therefore was soaping it up to wash out in the sink.

AND it look goreous! The bubbles were so textural and the colors melted

together so beautifully that I ran to get my camera and shot some pix!!

I do take photo's of work in process, sometimes thats just the element I need and I can print it out or make a silkscreen- etc!!

AND to enjoy here with you all.

Geez, do I have a screw loose or have you all had similar moments that just

disappeared down

the

drain?

Playing with Photoshop

One of my favorite late night activities is playing with Photoshop. I love to messaround with my photographs, some of my work, some images of nature (my favorite subject). These are photographs of an experiment with gelatin printing. I love the texture that can be achieved with this technique. For this piece, I used a hand cut stencil of a ancient Goddess figure. In Photoshop, I used the paint bucket to add color. Just click on the tool and a selection of colors pop up. Then click on the photo and the color drops in. In Adjustments, I changed the hue using the slider. This is always fun, almost like magic. For the last image I flipped the image horizontally, so the Goddess is facing left. To do this just go to image, rotate. There are many wonderful and cool things to do with your images in photoshop. Just be sure to make a copy of your photo before you play so you don't lose it and experiment, press buttons!
 

Check out Fog Rising on the Textile Source Blog: Celebrating Textile Design and Innovation! Too very cool!

6 New Collages

On a roll for collages, more to come. Here's 6 for now. All matted. Way too much fun!

Crafts Show or Bust! part 2 The Scarves

As I am preparing to iron 20 plus scarves, create labels, print labels, push holes, thread and pin to the scarves, I felt myself getting heavier. I guess I better do this sooner than later. I start to press and the magic happens. The wrinkled mass of silk flattens and glows. The light touch of simmer shines back at me like, well, bird song? Each scarf is a new delight of color, some vivid and obvious, while others are subtle and beacon a closer look. Now I remember why I do this!! Piling the ironed scarves to roll for transport, I decided to share this task brighten with remembered pleasure.

Colors in the Round

One of my most favorite fabrics is silk organza. I dye, rinse and hang to dry. This helps to retain the crispness of the organza. Drying in the dryer creates lots of loose threads and softens the texture. I'm using up the last bit of my LIQUID fiber reactive dyes by Createx.

 They stopped making them a few years ago. I love not working with powers and will miss them. I use the silk for my fiber constructions and collage. I often add thermal fax silkscreens using my own photography.