Metamorphosis...

Today I am sharing samples that I wasn't initially happy with. Having been cast aside for a while, I tried adding something to them. Hopefully a change for the better. For once, less isn't more. Firstly green painted tyvek (a remnant from this), changed to blue and then metallic paints added.
After a quick iron, I think it has transformed into a moth.
A red and yellow silk painting sample, was machine stitched, and then black oil pastel, red ink and metallic paint added. Has it become a short circuit?
A chocolate brown flower card, tries to become bronze with the help of acrylic paint.
An ink sample, is covered with oil pastels, scratched into, flooded with red ink, and then the pastel removed. An alternative flag?
It hasn't just been samples today, I have been in search of some Greek Art for UWA, more of that tomorrow. But for now, here is a friend I made on the way!

Squares & blue fingers...

The silk squares have been cut, I hope I have made enough. They are all in the process of being painted, left to dry & then ironed.
They have managed to completely take over the dining table (the desk in the spare room/craft space is currently hidden under so much stuff!).
In the process I have also managed to make my hands look like those of a smurf...

Decisions, decisions...

OK, so after much deliberating, I have finally decided that my kingfisher piece is to be a wall hanging. See my rather messy sketch here.
I just love promarker pens! First things first I sampled paints on the silk, unsurprisingly the pebeo silk paints worked best! I also added small highlights of colour with Markal paintsticks.
Then to the origami, here it would be helpful to have a couple more hands (especially hands that were immune to the heat of the iron!). Folding, ironing & then small stitches to keep in place and voila!
One silk painted origami base crane... now to repeat for all these colours!

Wax Wave & Rabbit

A lovely non-work Wednesday! I attended a Frances Hider workshop on 'Beautiful Batik on Silk' organised by the Guild of Silk Painters - Glasgow & West of Scotland branch. I've only ever tried batik a couple of times previously, and never on silk, so jumped at the chance to have a go. I should point out that my photos here are not of the finished pieces! The work has gone off to be steam-fixed; to set the dye and remove the wax. It will be interesting to see how the removal of the wax changes the image. The first piece is inspired by a photo of a wave. Layers of wax and dye were built up using tjantings, brushes, splattering and dabbing.
The second piece was inspired by a photo of a rabbit in silhouette. Using a paintbrush with its bristles coagulated in wax takes some getting used to, as it doesn't quite flow as you would expect! Layers of progressively darker dye were built up to create the image. By the end of the workshop I had noticed that on the wet surface the dye colours had shifted a little... Here's hoping that when my piece is returned my bunny's ear hasn't fallen off!

Flags, Fraying and Folding

Just back from the wonderful T in the Park, had a great time but am now so very tired! Among the many things happening at the festival was a flag installation in the main arena by Angus Watt. These beautiful flags in various hues and differing designs looked stunning in the sunshine!
Back to my OCA work... at the end of last week I was playing around with tearing, slashing and fraying. Firstly a sample of these techniques using different fabrics. It is interesting to note how much effort was needed to pierce and tear some fabrics compared to others; and how some fray much more easily.
I also painted a piece of pongee 6 silk in bright colours, and then manipulated it. A black background really makes the frayed edges stand out.
Finally I have been folding stripy fabric to try to 'hide' a colour and trick the mind in to thinking it is all pink. I was tempted to add a hidden message to the white stripes for peeking eyes only! This reminded me of some cushions I had seen by Showpony, at first glance these are covered in a pretty floral pattern, but on closer inspection there are bugs lurking!

Silk Workshop

Today I attended a Beginners Silk Workshop organised the Guild of Silk Painters - Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch. It was a great day, I got a chance to try out lots of techniques and have some gorgeous work to show for it. Silk painting seems to create such bold, bright colours. I now have lots more ideas for future projects. Here are just a few of the samples I made:
This design was traced from an image, then I used gold gutta and iron-fix silk paints to add colour. I really like how the colours blend into one another.
This loch side image was also created with the use of iron-fix silk paints, a hairdryer and some salt crystals. The line of the silk threads across the image makes it look as if it is raining!
Finally we made necklaces and scarves. These were dyed together using steam-fix dyes, rock salt & a microwave! I picked three shades of blue for mine. The necklace was made with the help of polystyrene and pony beads & I am really pleased with the result!

Assignment 2 Finished!

Hello, things have been quiet on the blog front recently. I have been busy trying to finish my second assignment for my OCA Textiles 1. It finally went in the post yesterday - hurrah! After spend the last few weeks trying various printing & painting methods, its nice to see the dining table again! Above is a mix of printing using a stencil, and then covering with satin stitch, and below is my first attempt at silk painting. I really like the vibrancy of the colours!