Saturday, June 23, 2012

Challenging self...

This last week I took a course with our local Quilt Guild - now, I am NOT a quilter, do not like the art of quilts myself (although I can admire them and understand why others love them).  So I was hesitant about this course from the get go but two of my favourite fibre art friends would be taking it and I figured I should consider expanding my horizons.

The course was called "Serendipity Quilting" which also sounded way too touchy-feeling for my liking but I forged on - with low expectations.  Turns out, I was completely inspired and transformed by this class and the instructors way of looking at fabric and "painting" with it.  Good lesson for me to widen my horizons and broaden my "definitions' of fibre art...


Susan Carlson was the artist/instructor.  Here is some of her work...


Her work is definitely amazing and definitely quilting - but her work with light and shadow is what transfixed and transformed me.

With her help, and working with my own silks, she let me modify her techniques and shared some of her great "painting" secrets with me....Here is what I started with.  The second is the same fish on the background I hand dyed...

Monday, June 18, 2012

my dyes...mmmm

As I mixed up these dyes the other day, I realized just how much I love how they work their magic on silk.  They are unpredictable, sometimes misbehave and definitely have a mind of their own  - there is no paint that can claim that! I love being a dye artist!



Friday, June 15, 2012

getting motivated....

With the busy summer art season looming and TONS of deadlines to meet, I find myself dragging my feet.  I cant seem to find the where and witherall to get painting....as a "mature" artist, I must say I have mastered the art of procrastination while still a novice at my other forms of art!

So today, no art - just organizing.  Cleaning and sorting my workspace and packing my "go bag" (reference to Criminal Minds for fans of the show).  maybe tomorrow will see action....