Tag Archives for fabric

Fabric flowers, kraft paper, charcoal and paint

I was going to wait for my new scanner to arrive in the mail, but I just can’t wait to share with you what I’ve been working on this past week! So here are some photos:

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On my most recent trip to Daniel Smith I acquired a pad of Stonehenge Kraft paper – luxurious, soft creamy acid-free sheets that I couldn’t wait to experiment on! So I’ve been experimenting with charcoal, sumi and acrylic. I’m especially excited by how smoothly acrylic paint goes on, and next will try out more than just one color (baby steps here!). ^_^

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Then I had to see how the cut fabric flowers would look contrasted on the brown paper, as I’ve only ever laid them down on white. I have to say, I rather like it! The colors, and the kraft paper feel very homey to me, very soft, warm and comfy.

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Here are some snapshots of four more drawings that have yet to have flowers added. I have mixed feelings about this – I rather like the simple drawings, without anything added. Overdoing drawings/paintings/artworks is one of my biggest fears, art-wise, which is why I love spontaneous drawing so much, and prefer it to planned-out paintings. What do you guys think? How do you know when a piece is finished?

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Thanks for bearing with me through the many pictures. I hope this finds you well – what have you been up to?

Night Crawlers

Here’s a new piece I’ve been working on for the upcoming RAWartists city semifinalists art show – planning on finishing two more by the 17th. I’m trying some new things here, for one only showing part of her body, another, actually showing her face (still new to this, usually I cover them up with hair), and also throwing in some creepy crawlies peeking out from underneath the flowers.

I’ve dug up many earthworms - not for a long while, but we used to hunt night-crawlers at night, after the rain, with flashlights and slippery fingers.

You can read more about the upcoming RAWartists Award Show here. If you’re in the Seattle area at the time, it’d be awesome to see you there! There will be live music, a magician, short film, hair/makeup/fashion show, photographers and of course – visual artists. You also get the chance to vote in all categories and find out that night who gets to move on to the next round!

  • November 17th, 7pm – 10:30pm
  • Trinity Nightclub, 111 Yesler Way, Seattle
  • $15 advance tickets (buy here), $25 at the door
  • Cocktail attire (dress up! Hmm. I think this means I’ll have to brush my hair, or something.)

I just found out that until Saturday the 10th at midnight, every ticket you purchase you also receive a complimentary ticket courtesy of RAW Seattle! Once you have purchased your ticket email the confirmation with the additional names attached. Cool. :)

Housefly Tea Towels!!

This morning’s project, something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time: cover some towels with houseflies!! I ordered a pack of 12 flour sack cotton tea towels, and they arrived in the mail yesterday, so – I had to start today! Houseflies first… now I need to do some brainstorming to decide what should be printed next!

Step one: Draw design on rubber.

Step two: carve away everything but your design.

Step three: start printing! I used silkscreen ink (Speedball) and a little foam roller (you can find them at hardware supply stores), then used a hard rubber brayer to press the stamp down on the fabric. I believe you can also use acrylic – at least, when I get it on my clothes it seems to stay fine no matter how many times it’s washed.

Step four: let dry, then iron to set the ink.

Yay! Now all insects that happen to get inside will seem teeny in comparison!

Towels are up in the shop, here.

2 new pieces: Burn, Droop

Burn, 18×24″, pencil, ink, watercolor and fabric

I’m experimenting with something new here: involving a lighter and the bathtub (safest place I’d figured, but it definitely stunk up the apartment for a few hours!). I don’t have any pictures of the first trial, as I basically destroyed it – learning to control the flame to get just the right burnt edge is tricky! Hopefully my future trials will be more successful.

Years ago I’d make treasure maps, stain them in tea, wet, tear and burn the edges to get them all “authentic” looking, but this is the first time I’ve tried burning watercolor paper. So much glue, and paint! Hmm. Stinky.

Taking a flame to the underside of the paintings is fascinating to watch: the peach-painted skin turns first yellow, then purple – I was amazed at how much it looks like bruising! It only lasts for a few seconds, though, as it all turns to black and smoke.

Droop, same size and tools