Printing Results

Here is the report from the silk screen workshop I took a few weeks ago.

The house heat eventually came on and I was able to dry the packets to set the pigment.

I lay the packets on the radiator.

Rinsing.

bubbles in the sink

I was so pleased most of the print was still visible.

I did not lose any of the designs.

I love the textures I've created.

Not sure yet what I will do with these pieces.

Printing Workshop

I took a workshop at ColourVie with Gunnel Hag; Deconstructed Screen Printing.

It was a silkscreen printing workshop using textured items to make designs. Loved it! It is exactly what I focus on when doing my art- repurposing items like plastic and using things that are destined for landfill.

One part of the technique that is important is keeping the fabric wet and moist after it has been printed. Heat is needed to set the dyes...which of course proved difficult for me as today is Day 9 of NO HEAT in the house...a reminder for people: I live in Canada and winters are cold! (anyway they are installing a new boiler today so I will be ok this evening)

I wrapped the printed fabrics in plastic and tried to keep them warm tucked into a pile of quilts.

I will have to give you a report later on after I heat the fabrics and rinse them. It could be that I lose all the colour and nothing sets!

I really hope I won't lose all my work.

The packets are wrapped in plastic, then in a cloth bag
then tucked into the middle of a pile of quilts while I wait for the radiators to get hot.

Surprises

I received a gift this morning.

by Dijanne Cevaal
25cm x 50cm

An unexpected present.

I spent yesterday with Dijanne Cevaal showing her around Verona and she was grateful...it was my pleasure! I LOVE Verona and I was interested in hearing about her textile adventures.

She gave me one of her lino-printed, hand-dyed fabrics. If you want one for yourself she does sell them through her blog. Her Medieval Project panels are similar and can be embroidered and embellished any way you want.

Click here to view them.

I am not sure how I will use mine. It will always remind me of our time together in Verona.

Cultural Art

I love this art work! A friend bought it in Fiji about 40 years ago. It hangs in her living room on a gorgeous wall colour.

circa 5' x 6'

The Fijian masi cloth is made exclusively by women. They treat the bark of a Mulberry tree to make it soft and pliable before adding geometric designs.

The design motifs vary depending on the area it was made in. The designs can be printed, stencilled, dyed or painted free-hand.

To find out more about traditional Masi cloth click here.

Making my Own Fabric

I always have my camera in my purse.

I noticed some of the advertisements on the street posts were 'altered' because of the big rains that had fallen during the night.

I printed those photographs on treated cotton fabric (Printed Treasures by Dritz)

I love the text that you barely see.

I like the texture.

I may print it again and alter the colour slightly.

I will eventually be using this 'new fabric' for an art piece.

Dijanne Cevaal Made the Cover

I picked up a magazine in anticipation of my upcoming train ride to Montreal.

Australian textile artist, Dijanne Cevaal,
 has her travel blanket on the cover of
Quilting Arts, December /January2013 issue

My friend Dijanne's work has made the cover of the latest Quilting Arts magazine.

They have a good article about her- she's in the Spotlight.

Last spring, I signed up for her on-line travel blanket course. I am sorry to say I have not finished the work. I had planned to stitch during the summer but that never happened. I still will get it done. It will look great. Her on-line class was really fun to do! Here is another look at my blanket.

CONGRATULATIONS, Dijanne!!

If you are interested in her class, click here.

When I was in Parma, Italy, translating for Dijanne in her free-motion class, I bought this small piece from her.

Dijanne Cevaal's free motion work.
I did frame it...ah, framing artwork...
I will comment on that in a future post!
You know not all ART has to be framed!!

Talking about Art

I met with Catherine Dormor and Judith Martin for breakfast this week before they headed up to Manitoulin Island. Catherine was Judy's advisor for her BA in embroidered textiles at Middlesex University. Dr. Dormor was in town from the UK for the World of Threads Festival.

detail, Shimmer, 2011

We had some good conversation. One of the things we talked about was slow hand stitching and getting in 'the zen zone' while working. I can get 'there' when I sew by machine...the sound of the motor, the repetitive motion.

Made of silk organza and silk satin

I miss having art people around me to talk with about art things. At the end of our time together, my mind was so full of ideas and questions to consider! I came home, got my journal out and put the words in my head onto paper then sat at the machine and sewed all morning.

technique: digital print

Shimmer, 2011
Made up of six panels.

I started a new piece- conceptual one.

detail, Shimmer

I only clued in afterwards, on the way home, that Dr. Catherine Dormor was the artist of Shimmer. I absolutely loved that piece! It was part of the exhibit Quiet Zone at the World of Threads Festival.

 These are two of the panels,
 one in front of the other.

I would have loved to talk to her about it!

Affirmation from an Expert

I loved hanging out with teacher/ textile artist Pat Pauly. I liked her energy, her way of teaching, her course material.

Pat Pauly speaking about her work

I loved her style of art work which is why I took her class.

Pat Pauly's work piled high on a table

Some of the steps we took in the class for our art experience are things I already do so that was an affirmation for me.

Things that I agree with...

Machine stitching can NOT save a piece...actually I knew that from experience (ugh) but it was good to hear it again!

Pat Pauly pointing out some machine quilting designs

Just because it was sewn in a messy way does not make it art!! (I have heard that excuse for textile art work before and it was upsetting! Glad Pat agrees.)

more of Pat Pauly's work

Only have one thing on your design wall at a time otherwise it can be distracting...need to do more of that! Since I work on several things at a time there is always too much stuff hanging up.

Pat's latest work (can't remember any titles! Sorry Pat!!)