No! I don't have a terrible cold!! 07-26-19

I have been snorted and coughing and blowing and dripping and...  all of that.  But I don't think it is a cold.   I think it is the pollen in the air.  It feels more like asthma than anything.  I have been doctoring with Robitussin DM, Mucinex, and Airborne.  Having a hard time keeping track of what to take, when.  Anyway, I did not miss any class time, except that I was a little dopey at times!  

The class is over and what a class it is.  If you are interested in painting with dyes in a free, unstructured, inventive design sort of way, this is a class you must take.  

"Expressive DyePainting" with Sue Benner

There is a LOT of information about safety using the chemicals and dyes, pages of "formulas" for mixing different colors and the opportunity to invent your own colors.  You can try different fabrics - cotton (in which I was particularly interested), silk, rayon, linen, bamboo, etc., or any combination of anything.  You are able to see the results other students get, even if you don't do the different fabrics yourself.   There are dozens and dozens of ideas for different tools to use, from those invented for the purpose and everything else one might find around.  Some work out, some don't, you get to see the results of what everyone in the class tries.   Some students worked practically from dawn to dusk and dyed a LOT of fabric.  Others, like I, were too tired by the end of the class time to work on into the evening.  Your choice.  

I have taken some great dyeing classes before, but this one is extra fun and more information than I can absorb in five days.  But I have the great handout and some notes and the fabrics that I dyed to encourage me to try this again.  I will post pictures of lots of different work, mostly without attribution, just so you can see the variety of work done.  Hope it inspires you to take the class.  I may do it again one day!

Black and white and every possible color. Pieces approx 22" X 22"

 Joy Siragusa also did some over dyeing and solid dyeing in plastic Ziplock bags.

Anke Wildman  squeezed out dye and applied some with a brush on the big tile table, laid the fabric over it, brayered it in, and came out with this gorgeous scarf -  the bottom picture is a detail.  Pre-hemmed scarf is 14"W X 72"L

Nita Wester did some fabulous pieces while she also served as an excellent class assistant.  22" squares

I did these three trees on the big tile board - 44"W x 72"L.  I had a hard time keeping an even flow when squeezing the dye out of a squeeze bottle and created some thick blobs.  This will take a lot more work, more dye, more definition.  

Squeezed, brushed, and maybe sprayed.  22" square  Maker unknown.

Bambi Relie on the right did this 44" X 72" piece on the big tile table.  One needs a lifting assistant for these large pieces - Karen Orewiler on the left. 

22" squares by Chris Berry

Close up of texture - maker unknown. 

 Many different application techniques - maker unknown. 

22" square - dripping, squeezing, brushing, dotting.  Maker unknown. 

We were each to do three piece of black and white, but I don't seem to have taken very many pictures of those.  Here is one that I particularly liked along with another piece by Chris Berry.   22" squares

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Yes, I have a terrible cold. 07-24-19

I was hoping it was just allergies, but it is truly a cold with aching joints and a headache and all the rest of the stuff that comes with a cold.  I hope that others in the class don't catch it and go home sick.  They will hate me.   I did go to class today and it was a hard drag, but I learned a lot more about dye painting and techniques for "mark making".   Here are some pictures from today's class.  Sorry, no ID on anyone's work except mine.  There is nothing here I am proud of, but I did accomplish something.  Maybe overdyeing is in my future. 

From the top:  First piece - too detailed, 2nd piece - of course there would be trees, 3rd piece has way too much thickened dye which smeared all over, 4th piece was a clean off my palette, needs more over dyeing. 

Some students utilized their hot cars to "batch" the dye.  

This one was taped to the windshield! 

And there are clotheslines outside where the wind whips everything dry.

Three pieces of nice work from two different students.

This lady had some long pieces of cotton from trimming her fabric and came up with a great idea to use them.  

Sue Benner did a demo of how to do a 44" square piece with the help of an assistant.

These four images are of a student doing this with her assistant. 

Apply the dye  to the palette using any technique one chooses. 

With the help of an assistant stretch the fabric as taunt as possible and lay it on the surface. 

 Then use a brayer or the back of a Styrofoam plate to smooth and transfer the dye. 

Then with the assistant on one end and the student on the other lift the fabric straight up to avoid smearing.  Then it must be laid out on plastic sheets to dry.  I hope to try this tomorrow. 

I'm taking my pills and cough syrup and going to bed. 

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Oh, NO! Not a cold. 07-23-19

The last few days I thought I was having allergy problems.  The doors and windows in the classroom are open for ventilation and I have been sneezing and wheezing.  Lots of plants that I don't usually encounter are blooming.  Tonight, however, I think this is a head cold and I don't know if I should go to class tomorrow.  Everyone will hate me if they all come down with colds next week.  After all, I was so sick two years ago after Empty Spools because my seatmate had a cold and passed it on to me.  Oh, dear.  What to do?

The class progressed today in the organized way that Sue's classes do.  We learned about dyeing with black dyes, somewhat more exacting that other colors.  And we started making mono-prints in black and in color.  So far I have not created the image to top all images.  And surely never will!  But I am happy with most of my pieces so far.  They are all 22" X 22" so there is no great loss in materials if they end up in the rag bag.  Besides, each one that we make we can learn something, if only that something doesn't work.  We all have pieces "batching" under an electric blanket in the classroom.  The temperature here has been running 70F or below, so extra heat needs to be applied to set the dye.  When the temps are over 70F the electric blanket is not required.

The only pictures I took today were of the goldfinches at the feeders in the yard here at the cabins.   I was in the driveway, inside my car so they wouldn't be spooked.  Not good pictures, taken with my phone, the only available implement at the time.  There were about a dozen finches changing places and an equal number of swallows swooping over the lawn eating flying bugs.  

I have never seen feeders like these, they seem to be made of some kind of mesh and are surely filled with nyjer seed, the goldfinches dinner of choice. 

I believe these are lesser goldfinches, but could be females mixed in. 

Only one male in his bright yellow plumage.  Wonder if all the other birds are his harem?

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-attract-goldfinches-386247

Hope I am feeling better in the morning and can go to class.  I will be very sad to miss this class that I booked so long ago and spent so much time, money, and energy to take.  

Woe is I!

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Sue Benner dye/painting class 1st Day 07-22-19

A hard working day getting everything set up and learning about mixing the dry dye powder to get the colors one wants.  I'm afraid I am a bit flummoxed and wish I had more chemistry in school.  Of course, how could I remember any of it after more than 60 years!  Sue is very thorough and gives out detailed instructions in her classroom materials.  I just need to read, and re-read, and read again!  Here are some pictures from our day. 

First, though, this is the street view of where I am staying, Garden Isles.  The building on the left is the #1 cabin where I stayed several years ago, just to the right behind the cars is the #2 cabin where I am this trip.  It is smaller, but just as charming and cozy.

Our classroom when everyone was at lunch.  The weather is lovely, if a bit on the windy side, so most everyone sat outside to eat. 

After careful instructions Sue trusted each of us to mix the dry dye powder with the other ingredients to make the concentrated dyes.  We then take small portions and dilute them to the correct solution for painting or printing. 

Unusual sight - Sue with her hair down!  It had come loose and she stopped to tie it back up on top of her head and I just happened to have my camera out. 

Most of the class gathered around to watch Sue's demonstration. 

Sue showing different techniques for applying dye - spraying, brushing, using other tools.

Adding different colors.  "Mark Making"

One glove on, one glove off.  Sue has done this for many years and doesn't get much dye on herself.   She tells us to experiment with our "Mark Making".

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In Coupeville, WA on lovely Whidby Island 07-21-19

Have arrived at Garden Isle motel (actually little cabins) where I have stayed before.  It has new owners and the guy is very personable and helpful, but the property seems a little rundown.  Maybe it is the time of year as I missed the springtime blooms. I am in Cabin 1 as the cabin I used before is occupied by a honeymoon couple who married here on Saturday.  So glad each cabin is free standing.  

I am reclined on the wide love seat just to the right of the outside door with my legs up on the arm.  So, this is what one sees when entering and looking to the left at the kitchen area.

Pan to the right and there is the door to the toilet/shower room - very tiny.  And the vanity with wash basin.  On far right is closet with TV (and hat bag) on top. 

Veranda doors to the deck open to the wonderful clean air and 75F.

A huge "feather" bed at the foot of the bed. 

The headboard with six very large pillows before they were delegated to a corner behind the love seat.  Notice the one with the puckers, it is a very loose pillow cover. 

And Del, still reclining on the love seat showing all the wear and tear of the last week.  Hat hair and all. 

The front door on the right and the love seat with the "feather bed" piled on it.   All the pillows are piled in the corner and my "Autumn Grid" quilt is on the bed along with my personal pillow in one of Mary's pillow casesl  

So, I am set for the night.  Tomorrow the class, hope I am adequately supplied.  

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