Spring Surface Design-- Wrapping Up

"Twiggy" by Janelle F.

The spring session of my surface design class wrapped up this week. I gave you a look at some of the work produced in class, here. I thought you'd like to see a few more photos of work from the final class.

One of the techniques I show students is how to take a high contrast photograph and turn it into a design for a carved print block. It's a step-by-step process and I talk about how it's possible to produce the "grey values" of a photo by carving different textures or line weights in the final block design. Janelle took on this challenge using a photo of the model, Twiggy. I love all the iterations of prints...very Andy Warhol!

"Twiggy" by Janelle F.

On the last night of class, I gave a Shiva Paintstiks demo. Here is what Janelle did using a cut freezer paper mask.

Janelle F.: Paintstiks and freezer paper mask

Lissette used Paintstiks to add details to some of the fabrics she created using resists. She slipped texture plates under the fabrics and made rubbings.

Lissette V.: Paintstik details on top of flour paste resist fabric.

Lissette V.: Paintstik details on top of glue stick resist fabric.

Amy continued to work on one of her stitched pieces about her trip to Israel. She added painted lace to the water section of this piece. I think this works really well...I'm reminded of light bouncing off  water.

Amy L.

In this close up you can see the dimensional applique treatment of the water.

Amy also brought in the piece that she started at the May Stitch-In. She completed it and will be giving it to her sister. The piece shows the two of them as youngsters on a tree swing together (I'm in love with this piece!).

Amy L.: Sisters swinging.

All in all.. a great group to teach! Hope to see some of you in a future class!

Spring Surface Design..A Little Review

Lissette V.: Gelatin print.

Since April, I've been juggling back-to-back classes on Wednesdays. I really love teaching both classes...Fabric Painting, Printing and Stitching to Tell a Story with Cloth (aka Story Cloth) and Fabric Painting and Printing: Surface Design. There were moments when I had to think really hard about what each class was working on before packing up my things. There was some overlap in techniques but not necessarily on the same day...a bit of a challenge for my fifty something brain!
I've already posted about the Story Cloth class, but not a peep or a peek about the Surface Design class. So today I'm sharing a bit what's been happening with hopes to have another post about it next week.

Two weeks ago, the class did some "Improvisational Screen Printing" (Jane Dunnewold's phrase) using freezer paper masks and something I've come up with using Lutradur stencils (based on Jane's interfacing stencil technique). Here are some results:

Amy L.: Torn freezer paper mask.

Lissette V.: Cut freezer mask.

Lissette V.: Torn freezer paper mask.

The fun part about using the Lutradur is that the material catches and holds the paint from the previous printing so the open areas and those areas covered with Lutradur print different colors at the same time. The texture of the Lutradur adds another layer of interest.

Sumita S.: Lutradur stencil.

Janelle F.: Lutradur stencil.

Last night, we had one of my favorite sessions...gelatin plate printing! I haven't yet become a convert to the Gelli Plate (though I do want to buy one)...I just love the sensual feeling of that soft, cool gelatin! And...as usual, I was not disappointed by the results! I love how each student's personal style seems to emerge...even if it's just printing leaves and lace!

Janelle F.

Janelle F.

Janelle F.

Lissette V.

Lissette V.

Lissette V.

Sumita S.

Sumita S.

Sumita S.

I hope to get some photos next week of the other techniques we've been covering including block printing and resists.

I have one returning student, Amy L. who is using this class as an independent study. Amy took the fall session of the Story Cloth class and decided to continue working on additional pieces, focusing on her recent trip to Israel. Here is one of her completed pieces.

Camel by Amy L.

She also brought in a sweet, little Meditation Book she printed and stitched between sessions. Here are a selection of pages...

Amy is moving to London this summer...I will miss her! I'm sure that she'll continue to have lots of surface design and stitching adventures there.

April Showers Bring....Spring Classes!!

Wood Sorrel #1 by Julie B. Booth: Wheat flour paste resist, freezer paper masks and stencils, block printing.

Today is one of those days that we sing about every April...April Showers Bring May Flowers...
It's dreary out but my mind is racing, thinking about preparations for upcoming classes and workshops.

I'm really excited about these classes! Each time I teach, I get the opportunity to see my students stretch and grow. I love the hum and exchange of ideas in the classroom setting. And... I always learn something new!

I'd like to invite you to join me (if you're within driving distance, of course!) for one or more of the following classes I'm offering this month.

Fabric Printing and Painting: Surface Design (formerly called Exploring Surface Design)
at The Art League School in Alexandria, Virginia

This class focuses on printing, painting, and mark making techniques using pigment based fabric paint, paint sticks, and other marking tools on a variety of fabrics. We will cover relief printing, screen printing, stenciling, gelatin monoprinting, and fabric resist techniques. Each student works towards an individual project of their choice that incorporates the unique multi-layered fabrics created.

Starts on April 15. 8 sessions. Wednesdays 7:00 – 10:00 PM. Tuition: $180. Materials fee: $20. Supply list.

Click here to see work created in this class by former students.

Fabrics by Catherine M. created in Fabric Painting and Printing: Surface Design

Fabric Painting, Printing and Stitching to Tell a Story with Cloth

at the Art League School in Alexandria, Virginia

PLEASE NOTE: I need one more student for this class to go!

Students use a variety of fabric printing and painting techniques along with basic hand stitching to tell a story in cloth. Participants are encouraged to find their stories through a series of surface design exercises and to expand their concept of story. Discussions on the use of color, shapes, size and arrangement aid in the process. Surface design techniques include: gelatin mono printing, found object printing, brayer rubbing and collograph techniques, along with a variety of painting, relief printing and fabric resist techniques. Students will also be introduced to basic hand stitching techniques to add a textural element to their story cloths. Formats for presentation are also discussed. There is a $25 materials fee payable to instructor.

Starts on April 22. 5 sessions. Wednesdays 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Tuition: $220. Materials fee: $25. Supply list.

Click here this link to see samples of past student work.

Midnight's Children by Barbara M.- C.

Circles by Susan P.

Fabric Printing at Home: A Kitchen Sampler

at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria, Virginia

Join Julie B. Booth, author of Fabric Printing at Home, for a weekend full of “kitchen potential”. Play with plastic wrap; design printing plates with recycled aluminum; turn turnips into print blocks; stencil with food wraps and use soap as a resist. These are just some of techniques from Julie’s book we’ll cover on day one to create unique and beautiful fabric designs.

On day two, students will learn a variety of stitching, appliqué and finishing techniques to turn their kitchen-inspired, printed fabrics into decorative wall hangings.

Throughout the weekend, Julie will show you tips and tricks to get great results and open your eyes to the printing potential of everyday items found in your home.

April 18 & 19, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM   Tuition: $135 (includes materials fee). Supply List.

Click here and here to see samples of past student work. 

Two pieces by Lindy M. using fabrics created in Fabric Printing at Home: A Kitchen Sampler.

 Hope to see you in class!

Wednesday Night Review

Dominique C.: Cut and torn freezer paper masks.

I'm finally getting around to posting a few photos from the Winter 2014 session of Exploring Surface Design. I'm rounding out teaching my fifth year of this semester-long class. This session stre...etc..ch...hed out a bit due to the weather and my Dad's memorial service.

Here is a sampling of what students did this session...

Dominique C.: Printing with wheat flour paste resist

Dominique C.: Blue glue gel resist.

Elaine E.: Print block sampler over monoprinted fabric.

Elaine E.: Printing with wheat flour paste resist.

Elaine E.: Freezer paper mask and brayer rubbings with textures

Laura L: Gelatin Printing

Laura L.: Gelatin printing.

Laura L.: Lutradur screen printing.

I'm looking forward to the Spring semester. I'll be teaching a new 5 session class called: Fabric Painting, Printing and Stitching to Tell a Story with Cloth. This class was a direct result of comments from the students in the Story Cloth workshop. They wanted more time to explore.