On The Wall

I save out choice fabrics from my dye/paint/screen/discharge days. This bunch seemed like it ought to be used. So, there. I cut into them, and have channeled the mantra from my "Slash and Burn" class -- don't think, just cut.

Before the Wash

I've got nine screen passes on this yard of fabric. The print always looks dark and dramatic at this wet and just-printed stage. Trust me, the final piece if just fine. Ironing it tonight.

What Are You Doing August?

This must be Karen, printing away, in my class in Montreal last month. She's reported she is happily using the work she did in class. I'm going to repeat the printing class in August 15-19 through Pro Chemical and Dye in Fall River. That is, if I get another 5 to 6 people to sign up. Hope it is a go! If you are on the fence, decide to join us for the week. I promise you a grand time. And great results.

Short Term Memory

I'm still thinking about the Surface Design Sampler class this week in Montreal. The group was so diverse, so welcoming, and so fun. I loved that Chris gave it her all. Only wish we could spent twice as long creating. That'll be when I teach this a Pro Chemical and Dye  August 15 - 19.

In the Thick of Dye

Suzanne went through all the processes we could think of to do with thickened dye in my Montreal "Surface Design Sampler" class. Next time I'll do this will be in August 15-19 at Pro Chemical and Dye just south of Boston. There's room, come find out what it's all about.

And That's the Half of It

I have a test to see just how long is long it takes to get proper color set in dying. Not the most scientific, but I've sent half through the wash, this will be for tomorrow's load. It's packing day for Montreal tomorrow. Lots to do.

Sweet Line Up

Regina Sweet took my Surface Design Sampler class last fall at the Schweinfurth. Yesterday a group of art quilters met and her works, started from the prints she did in the class, gave evidence to both the diversity of technique and power of multiples. Well done, Regina! Thanks for sharing.

Try Outs

Now with a new stretched screen, and a dye cut stencil, I'm ready to tryout some prints. I'll add more to this. It's working just dandy. I'll bring the screens to Montreal and Pro Chem's classes, so others can try silkscreening.

In the Zone

To be in the "zone." Thats when the activity takes over, and the world falls away. I've made thickened dyes for monopronting. The roller applies pressure to my print, and I'll let the fabric batch overnight.

Cut Your Heart Out

A friend let me play on her Silhouette Cameo, which cuts what you draw. I tried some stencils in Mylar, and will use them for my upcoming printing classes in Montreal (May is Salon 2016) and Fall River (Pro Chem in August). Tonight was printing, tomorrow is washout.

Class in August in Massachusetts

I'm set to teach a five day class in Fall River, Massachusetts at Pro Chem called "Surface Design Sampler: Monoprinting, Stamping and More" this August. Here is a yard piece that I've silkscreened,and just quilted as a whole cloth. Love to have you join us. Find information here.

Seeing the Whole from the Parts

Each time I work with artists, I am taken with how quickly their style of working presents. Karen is adding color to monoprints, but the group of "sketches" is talking to each other. This scene is repeated throughout the entire room, and is hardwired in the working process.

Great to Print

The Schweinfurth has a marvelous wet studio, and we had the place hopping. You can see that Victoria made a few fat quarter sized prints, then went all out on a large piece of yardage. My class "Surface Design Sampler" was like eating a box of assorted candy -- had to try more. And we did.

Monoprinting in Auburn

Very dark blue dye is used here thickened. The laminated sign, given to me years ago, is light enough, the lamination keeps it cleanable. I can stack them, move them around, and rearrange the goopey wet prints.

White Space

I've been printing fabric with a lot of white (at least I am trying to keep the white) and I refer to these random shots with color streaking through -- to hold white ground that shows it all off. Takes a restrained hand. We'll explore this next weekend at Studio Schweinfurth Oct 3-4 "Surface Design Sampler". There's still room to join us!

Moving Thickened Dye

I've got a new trick, and I can't wait to share it with my class this October in Auburn, New York. I'm about to pull a print on fabric using my PATented plate. Want to know how? Gotta be in the class! (And if you guess, keep it under your hat).

Color Comparison

I've printed this fat quarter, then let the one on the left sit for 4 hours before washing, the middle is unwashed, the right is overnighted before washing. Not much difference to my eyes. So, looks like that 4 hours wait for the dye to set is all I need.

Monoprinting for Auburn's Class

I'm doing more printing in the run up to the class at the Schweinfurth Art Center the first weekend in October. This is a quarter yard that has been soda soaked. I've more to put on it, a few more layers of color.

Four Corners of the Yard

Just because I'm nice, I'm adding, in each corner, a square of tyvek that I cut from used USPS mailers. This is part of the "kit" for my class at the Schweinfurth in October 3 & 4. Figure that we can all add our names to the works before they go in the wash. Otherwise, I might claim the best for me.

Soda Soda Ash Ash

These yards are drying outside on this perfect day. I'm getting ready for a surface design class at the Schweinfurth Art Center October 3&4. These will soon be gloriously printed, stamped, and monoprinted. Can't wait.