fun with bleach

I tried somthing new this week. I've never enjoyed working with bleach*, never liked the fumes or what it can do on those occassions where things go awry. But I do like the interesting affects it can create when used to lighten darker fabrics.

*I should note, I'm oviously not using straight bleach. I found another dyer online who offered a recipe for mixing a bleach solution and then a separate bleach-stop solution. I know there's several ways of doing this, please do your own research and ALWAYS be careful with bleach. Work outside or our proper ventilation!

Bleach Bath #1:

This piece began with a very deep fuschia color, one that was intended to be closer to maroon at first attempt, but I was a little too eager to get started and went with too much a a deep pink. So then I rushed to overdye with a deep moss green. I kept going until it was so dark that I couldn't decide what to do next. It was at that point where I decided I needed to lighten the fabric overall and see what the results would be. That's when I tried the "bleach bath" for the first time. I overestimated the time it would take to lighten, b/c it's really hard to tell while it's still immersed in the released dyes and obvously darkened in color just from being wet. When it was lighter that I intended ( I should note that I don't generally work with very light colors!) I overdyed again with a another dark green. What is interesting about the affects of the bleach is that when it lightens the colors, it almost seems to softenthe overall dye patterns, so you see very subtle fades of color into each other.

Bleach Bath #2:
Same sort of deal here. two or three dyes in, I went too dark and decided to revert the colors abit with the bleach bath. I never can stop with just one dye, I alwsy feel the color needs more depth and variation, so I keep going, usually using two or three dyes to achieve the color range I'm looking for.

ahhh the thermofax

After our basement disaster last year adn finally getting our basement back together, the thermofax machine had been moved several times. On top of that, the door was off going into my "studio". Thanks to that, my kids have taken to playing in the studio. Which also means doing fun things like turning the knob on my thermofax machine. Therefore, when I went to use it, I had several messups trying to get the setting right.

THEN I finally found the 100 mesh sold by the foot, instead of by the roll, so I started using that and had to find the right setting. It's been frustrating, but I think I finally got it right. Made some screens for a friend, so he can make his own shirts for his business.

I think I'm also going to be dyeing and printing tote bags again this year for the Plein Air Competition in St. Charles to list the sponsors.

Looking for a vendor!

I'm been trying to get back into using my thermofax machine. I want to find a company that sells the 100 mesh screens by the sheet. I have yet to find one...The rolls are pricey and I just want to try it out...hoping to stumble on the magical vendor who sells what I'm looking for!

She's getting dusty : (

Scarves, scarves and more scarves!

Lately, I've been working on mostly silk scarves, using simple fold and other resist methods to get a nice variety of patterns.

Another year, another post!

Not much has changes for me in a year according to art. I piddle here and there and wish I had the time. I had a solo show at my gallery last December featuring a few of these pieces.

Crossroads

Range of Mountains

Climbing the Light

St. Charles Spring ArtWalk 2009

I am participating in the 2009 St. Charles Spring ArtWalk on Main Street. This is Residual Junctions, the piece I have donated for the Patron's Preference Drawing.
Friday, April 24, 2009 5 pm to 9 pm
Saturday, April 25, 2009 11 am to 8 pm
Sunday, April 26, 2009 12 noon to 5 pm
For more information about the ArtWalk, click here.

The Patron's Preference Drawing will be at Framations Art Gallery on Sunday, April 26 @ 3pm.
Framations is located at 218 North Main Street, St. Charles, MO.

Who has time for this?!?

So I haven't "blogged" for more than a year. At least not on this blog. I'm not sure why I still you this, but I guess I'll give it a try again!