Katazome on Kozo

These small works range from approx. 6″x 9″ to 10″ x 12.” I am experimenting with Japanese Katazome techniques on washi (handmade kozo). I first learned these techniques on fabric from John Marshall. My goal with this work is to achieve differentiation between the various stenciled and painted layers, hopefully giving the work depth and surface interest. The results you see here are inconsistent, and I think I understand which variables to change next time. I am excited about the possibilities of this technique and intend to explore it further!

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Works on Cotton

I created these works on cotton fabric, using fiber-reactive dyes and other pigments including oil sticks and colored pencils.

 

 

 

Working outside (and inside)

July 15th — and I’ve finally set up a way to stretch my work in our little old gazebo. (Both sides of my basement are full of stretched work at the moment, so this is a helpful way to work on more pieces simultaneously.) This evening I’m soy sizing some small pieces (zig-zagged together making a long piece).

Sailboat cleats screwed into the wood secure the harite (stretchers), but that’s my brush hanging there.

Many moons ago I painted these vintage linen napkins with Earthhues natural dye extracts (logwood and madder) thickened with gum tragacanth. I was aiming for some background visual texture. They were disappointing to me so I tucked them away. Then, earlier this summer using some of my small stencils, I pasted-then-dipped, pasted-then-dipped them a few times in indigo. Now I like them. The under layer of dye peeks through in certain places.

The soy sizing will prevent any crocking. I will probably paint some darker indigo pigment highlights on them.