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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3 comments:
So relieved you don’t have a cold and we’re able to complete the class!
Looks like Sue Benner had another fabulous workshop! I am pleased you finished class and took pictures to share. Some pieces are quite amazing. I note the dots and fine lines of dye didn't bleed, does Sue use a resist?
Wow--Del. This looks like more fun than the law allows. I've heard good things about Sue Benner, and it seems this was a great class. Have fun with your products. Hope your allergy troubles are over.
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