Enhancing Painted Fabric!

I love to paint fabric! It's a very free and lose feeling to swish the brush across the fabric surface. Although once a piece is heat set it might not feel quite finished. There may be a piece that's a little too quiet while others need more attention to pull out their full design potential. 

Although the below pieces are not overly dramatic they are good examples of when a painted fabric needs some enhancement before feeling finished!

I started by laying the fabric outside across river stones and painted the entire surface with 2 shades of blues. I was hoping for dramatic textures from the stones but when it dried it was kind of boring! 

I decided to create a fine layer of silver shimmer across the surface. I thinned some metallic paint, moistened the fabric surface and started to paint! 

I opted to paint indoors on bamboo fencing just to see if I could create a bit of texture. 

Granted this is not a great photo but I was trying to show you how the metallic created some silver bling! The blues are much darker and brighter and with the silver metallic bling it's a fun piece!

The second piece started as a typical swirly, swishy piece. It had interesting designs but I wondered what would happen if I added some stenciling. 

Not sure If I'm done yet or not... I'll leave it on the design wall for a few days to see if I settle into the design or if another enhancement starts to emerge! 

 What types of enhancements do you try on fabric?

Custom Fabric for Fairwinds Hotel!

I was contacted by James Risinger who is an Architect and Interior Designer in Miami, Florida. He had seen images of my fabric online and thought they would be a good option for art work in the newly renovated Fairwind Hotel project he was working on. His vision was to frame ten, 18" x 22" pieces to hang throughout the hotel. James was great to work with and as an artist himself he left free creative discretion to me for whatever I felt would work in South Beach! 

Below are the unframed pieces ready for shipping. 

I look forward to installation photos so I can live vicariously through my artwork... I've only been to South Beach briefly years ago. This may be the closest I get for a very long time! 

Today's Color Palette - Desert Influence!

With unusually warm temperatures in the Denver high desert area I was able to paint fabric outside. 

I trimmed some branches to create an outdoor creative space. I was happy to find my work table tucked right into the niche. I took a deep breath, calmed my brain and thought about the beautiful desert colors that have become part of my landscape... here are the results!  

1- SOLD Desert with a little gold bling! 

1- SOLD Desert with a little gold bling!
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2 - Desert Flow

2 - Desert Flow
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3 - Desert Dunes

3 - Desert Dunes
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4 - Desert Winds

4 - Desert Winds
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5 - Desert Textures

5 - Desert Textures
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All pieces are 100% cotton - 1 Yard- $22 each

If a piece catches your eye and must come home to you please email me at caroleatondesigns@gmail.com 

Shipping extra

The Studio is Up and Running!

It's been 6 months since I packed up the studio in Connecticut and moved 2,000 miles to resettle in Colorado. The relocation has been all things... fun, scary, exciting, challenging and just what we were looking for! 

The basement was unfinished leaving it ready to create a workable space for a studio. I am so thrilled to have a creative space that fits my style! 
 

Oscar and his crew were awesome - I would absolutely recommend them! 

Sheet Rock made it start to feel like a real space!

Sweet isn't it! 

Although not everything has found a home and nothing is on the walls it feels comfortable and the rest will eventually settle into place!

You have no idea how exciting it is to have supplies within easy reach! 

We kept a third of the space unfinished for my wet area - SO excited! 

Let the creativity flow!