Pro Chem's Room

The class at Pro Chemical and Dye in Fall River, Massachusetts has seven tables. The group limited itself so each person had an entire table. I've done classes there where there are two to table. This made the experience luxurious, and we took advantage of the expanse to print large. Hard to beat this, but possible.
 

Design With Prints -- Ours!

The four day print class at Pro Chem signed up for a two-day class in design, specifically to use the fabric that was printed the previous days. Each had prints exclusively their own pallet and design to work from. It brought surprises, a few laughs, and a round of responses. We'll do it again tomorrow.
 

One Strike, Two Versions

I challenged the class to start two prints with the same strike of motif and the finish them to be different from each other. And to do them in record time. The results were striking. The class was self-organized and took place at Pro Chemical and Dye in Fall Riverr, Massachusetts. A great place to print!
 

More Prints from Pro Chem

"Novice printer with great graphics" is what the poster should read. We're in silkscreen mode here at the Pro Chem class organized through a local critique group. The goal of this printing class is to produce fabric that we will use in a following two-day class on design (sewing) and I can't wait.
 

Traveling With Me

When I drive to teach a printing class, I will often make the thickened dye that we'll use in the class a day ahead of the class, and bring it along so that we can dive right into the workshop. I loved this image --  like Christmas all over again -- of the box of dyes and thickener delivered and dusted with snow.
 

Over Packed

Dyes and Chemicals are in for QSDS and a class at Hudson Valley Art Workshops. Unfortunately, the Hudson Valley was cancelled due to low enrollment. So, the dyes will be used for another workshop. I'm so sorry for those who had everything ready from fabric to airfare. Let's hope for future dates.

Summer Printing

If you've got a yen to print, well, now's your chance. Summer makes it easy to set up a spot in a garage, or the backyard, or maybe a friend's barn. If you've been in a class with me, either in person or virtually, you know you just need a bucket of water and a covered table. Go for it! (Pro Chem workshop. Note bucket!)

 

We Did Have Fun

Before we disassembled our work space at Pro Chemical and Dye, we get together for a last laugh. You can honestly say it was a week of working hard and making good prints. And in between, a few good laughs. Thanks all for letting me have a bit of fun and hanging out this past week. 
 

Print Train Coming Through

We should have had that soul train song track playing while the prints moved from table to clothesline, but we didn't. It was enough fun just to see what these two were cooking up. And the rest of us took notes and printed more.
 

Dye Delivery

 Can't print without dye. So the mega load was delivered. I purchase from Pro Chemical and Dye in Fall River, Massachusetts. The delivery is one or two days. So, now I'm ready for a two week stint at QSDS. My plan is to mix enough for the first day just to get a jump on setting up. 

Requests

I broke out the intense blue for the next set of linen painted fabrics. Of course, I mixed in a bit of other stuff from my usual palette. And I hope that that intense stays intense. I use MX dyes from Pro Chemical and Dye in Massachusetts. They ship quick, and love to work with them.

Waiting Patiently

It's been almost two weeks waiting for me to sort these prints and get them queued for the wash. I managed to print 19 yards in demonstrations during my week at Pro Chemical and Dye. Some will get more graphics when I start printing tomorrow. But some are ready for the wash.
 

Writing on the Wall

The end of the Pro Chem class, a week or so ago, was celebrated with a dinner in Bristol, Massachusetts. It is an old shipping port that was in the trading triangle. This graffiti dates from the early 1800s. I"ve been intrigued with the drawings, the gestural line since my visit a couple of years ago.
 

Washing To Do

This week my list includes washing out the pieces that I made in the last workshop. Right now they are boxed and waiting for me to open them and either add to them other graphics or get them washed. They can wait months for me, but heck, why not now?
 

Going Big

When I approach teaching Go Big, Go Bold, I am looking for something that holds the entire piece of cloth. Yes, you can cut it into sections, but can it read as a whole composition? This print was made at the last of the session, and answers that question in the affirmative.
 

Comparisons

Returning home is a good time to reflect on in-person workshops. I'd never had to compare virtual with in-person until now, and yes, in-person is different. The atmosphere is both close up and distant, and with benefits. I'll be doing more of both types in the fall, and appreciate their differences.

 

One Last Time

Jane lets me know the true meaning of going big and bold. We'd reached the last day, last print, last bit of print paste to use up. And she took to this oversized piece of linen to scrape her design. What a fun class. I'll be back at Pro Chemical and Dye next year. Thanks to my 2021 class!

 

Time and Space

For a five day class, it would be ideal to have a day off in between. To think, to spread out, to regroup. Maybe just to print. We do what we can given the space and time. And I think we do it well. 
 

View of the Room

After a year of virtual teaching, it's nice to be at the same table to talk about the next step, or brainstorm the best tack for the problem, or just to see how the magic happens. And there are15 ways to see that.
 

Two Days In

Day two of printing workshop Go Big, Go Bold, large scale graphics have started to take hold. After getting silkscreens ready, folks printed more the layers graphics. We'll add color and composition to the mix next.