Under the Sea series - well "near" the sea!

I've added another panel to my "Under the Sea" hand crafted fabric series. Although it's not technically under the sea it is a beach scene! The weather was glorious today and I spent the whole day painting fabric outside and taking full advantage of some late season sun printing. If you'd like more detailed information about the piece please visit the "Under the Sea Fabric Series" under Fabrics for Sale. 



Beachside Panel
43" X 44"
 

Thermofax Screens: Shore Birds!

I recently purchased a bunch of thermofax screens designed and created by Terri Stegmiller. She is an awesome artist with a wonderful whimsical style! I encourage you all to take a peek at her work and stop by her Etsy shop.

I've been trying to carve out time to experiment and had my first go with a bird design over the weekend. I love watching shore birds running along the oceans edge trying to grab a bite to eat before the next wave comes in. I had some fabric on hand that I call my "Under the Sea" series which seemed made for the addition of the birds.

Of course I ran out of time to fully create a design but I'm playing with companion fabrics and think I will end up mounting the piece on foam board vs. the more traditional hanging sleeve... to be continued!

Auditioning Fabrics

5 sweet little birds
I think I can create definition with stitching so the birds pop off the fabric!

Maybe this will work?!

I'm sure I'll spend the week looking at the design wall and trying other fabrics and who knows... maybe the end result will be completely different. That's the fun of creating art!

Under the Sea Series

I need to include the idea of shells in my Under The Sea series. I gave some thought to the beautiful coral and soft cream color you find on the smooth inner side of certain shells. I don't know the specific names for shells but I see them all over the beaches and of course under the sea!

Color inspired by miles and miles of shells!

Fabric was soaked in soda ash and water.
Next I mixed up some coral, peach and antique lace dyes and filled squirt bottles.

Starting at the top of the fabric squeeze dye allowing it to run down. Once the dye runs down flip the fabric around to allow it to drip in the opposite direction for an even design.

Don't forget to lay a piece of fabric down to catch the dye as it drips.
You'll get a nice bonus piece!

Under The Sea Fabric Series

I continue to have images of being under the sea and imaging what the environment looks like! I imagine the sand, current, reflection of light and the creatures swimming about. I created two one yard pieces today using Setacolor fabric paints.

I started with PFD cotton and kept it dry rather than the typical misting before painting. I kept the underwater images in my mind and painted what I was thinking about. Once dry I heat set the paint. Next I painted a wash of blue and turquoise over the entire piece. I added a little salt here and there to get the paint moving and creased the fabric in places.

In my mind I was scuba diving along the bottom of the ocean!

Detail of rock cropping

The current was getting a little strong in this piece!

Detail of ocean floor

Painting on Fabric - Under the Sea Series

I've switched gears from paint and wax to paint and whatever else I can find! My son's friend, Sarah, is having a once in a lifetime experience off the coast of Colombia. You can follow her adventures at Wool Gathering By Day. The photos Sarah has been sharing of her dives is a real treat and I'd love to create a series of fabric inspired by the marvelous colors, shapes and shadows of life under the sea!

I have two one yard pieces completed just to get the create energy flowing. There is soooo much more going on in my head and as fate would have it my next roll of 30+ yards of PFD fabric is scheduled to be delivered today - just in time for the weekend!

 

The color combinations may not "read" under the sea to everyone but it's what I was feeling at the time and I find the combination soothing.

Hand painted using translucent Setacolor paints
and salt for movement

Detail

Hand painted using translucent Setacolor paints.
Once the paint dried I crinkled the fabric, misted with water
and using a 2" brush I hit the tops of the crinkles with additional paint

Detail