New Directions

18 January 2016

The hard cold air of today's January wind is creating a draft in my studio.
But I hardly notice as I am hard at work creating my new series. Last Spring, I
actually tore up some precious and beautifully dyed cloth. At first I was a little horrified. But, amazingly enough, that event set me on a new course. I am exploring shame and pride in the female form with the kimono shape in two and three dimensions as the substrate.

I will make twelve pieces following the color wheel and allow the process to develop the pieces as I do.  I like the chance to develop my knowledge about dye in a systematic and deep way. I want to use this opportunity to investigate techniques I haven't used consistently, like printing with thickened dye.

I began by developing the imagery and converting them to silk screens and thermofax screens and a stamp. That took all summer and much of the fall.  In November I started exploring color.

Starting with yellow,  I made samples in silk broadcloth, handkerchief linen and silk organza to explore the color palette that would represent shame and pride. I am now sorting the printing and dyeing order on silk broadcloth.

As I go along I will add posts here to keep you informed of my progress!