I enjoy trying various artistic media.
An unused loom begged me to try weaving. The tactile feel of fiber moving through my fingers eventually led me to tapestry weaving. However, it was dyeing yarn for my tapestries that captivated me. Every color pulled from my dye pots was perfect; just maybe not for the current project. Color became my journey.
That first drop of dye landing on my silk fabric and magically flowing, erratically and uncontrollably, outward hooked me on silk painting. Silk was unlike any other surface I had worked on; it had a mind of its own. The more I tried to control it, the less I liked the results. With practice I learned to use that lovely flow of dye to my advantage. Letting the dye flow uninterrupted created smooth transitions between colors, mingling hues effortlessly. Halting that flow built up lines of intense color. Adding water or alcohol increased the push of color outward. The fabric became a partner in my technique.
I feel a touch of panic when I face a blank white paper while holding only a small black stick of charcoal. How can a drawing possibly emerge? And yet, the process works and it never ceases to amaze me. My first charcoal drawings were guides to the correct color value when dyeing for my tapestries. Now pure enjoyment is why I draw with charcoals.
I’m exploring using metal with textile techniques. The patina of copper calls me. I want to create something flowing; to fill space with it. I’m looking forward to where this takes me.
Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.
An unused loom begged me to try weaving. The tactile feel of fiber moving through my fingers eventually led me to tapestry weaving. However, it was dyeing yarn for my tapestries that captivated me. Every color pulled from my dye pots was perfect; just maybe not for the current project. Color became my journey.
That first drop of dye landing on my silk fabric and magically flowing, erratically and uncontrollably, outward hooked me on silk painting. Silk was unlike any other surface I had worked on; it had a mind of its own. The more I tried to control it, the less I liked the results. With practice I learned to use that lovely flow of dye to my advantage. Letting the dye flow uninterrupted created smooth transitions between colors, mingling hues effortlessly. Halting that flow built up lines of intense color. Adding water or alcohol increased the push of color outward. The fabric became a partner in my technique.
I feel a touch of panic when I face a blank white paper while holding only a small black stick of charcoal. How can a drawing possibly emerge? And yet, the process works and it never ceases to amaze me. My first charcoal drawings were guides to the correct color value when dyeing for my tapestries. Now pure enjoyment is why I draw with charcoals.
I’m exploring using metal with textile techniques. The patina of copper calls me. I want to create something flowing; to fill space with it. I’m looking forward to where this takes me.
Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.