Extraordinary Prints from Ordinary Objects - M

M is for Marbling!

Marbling the traditional way can be a tad intimidating. 
However, there are some very simple shortcuts for the less
patient (like me). Below are instructions for super easy 
marbling - using shaving cream. AND it smells nice and fresh!

Cotton marbled using the shaving cream method.

You will need:
1. a pan (I use tinfoil roasting pans, but any
container large enough to hold your fabric will do).
2. a can of shaving cream
3. Fabric pigments - Colour Vie pigments mixed with a small 
amount of Base and Resfix works a treat! www.colourvie.com
4. a plastic ruler or scraper
5. white cotton (or other) fabric cut to size to fit in the pan
6. Plastic or newspaper to protect your working area.

Another cotton fabric marbled with shaving cream.

And this is what you do:
1. Fill the pan with shaving cream almost to the top
2. Use a plastic ruler or other implement to smooth 
the top of the shaving cream until it is flat.
3. Place drops of fabric pigment on top of the shaving cream.
4. Use a comb, nail or chop stick to create a pattern.
5. Carefully place the fabric on top of the shaving cream.
6. Gently pat the fabric down so the whole fabric surface 
comes into contact with the shaving cream. 
7. Lift up the fabric and place it on a flat surface covered 
with plastic or newspaper.
8. Use the plastic ruler or drywall smoother to scrape off 
the excess shaving cream.
9. Let dry, heat set and rinse off any remaining shaving cream.
10. The shaving cream can be used many times over. Just
add more shaving cream and pigments as needed.
HAVE FUN!

Placing blobs of pigment on top of the shaving cream

Combing the top of the shaving cream to create a pattern.

A bit like cake decorating.

Placing the fabric on top of the patterned shaving
cream and gently pushing the fabric down so that
the pigment transfers onto the fabric.

Using a plastic drywall smoother (or ruler) to scrape off
excess shaving cream.

Pigment has been combed up then down in rows
on this fabric. Yep, like cake decorating!

The shaving cream can be used over and over. Just smooth it down,
add more pigment as needed and comb new patterns.
This piece is the second print from the shaving cream pan used
for the print above this one - with a circular combing added.

What an inspiration!
A gorgeous Turkish marbled paper.

Exhibitions and Workshops galore

Awesome Textile Exhibitions in South Central Ontario!

If you happen to be in and around the Toronto area, there are a few
fibre exhibitions not to be missed. 

Connections Fibre Artists opened at the Wellington County Museum
between Fergus and Elora on Friday. Until June 7, 2014. 
The exhibition is called "Celebrate the Seven" - a tribute to the Group of Seven.
http://www.wellington.ca/en/museum.asp. 

My quilts inspired by the Group of Seven

The inspiration for the majority of my work comes from my 

experience with nature and its forces. During many summers 

of camping and canoeing around Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, 

Ontario, I have enjoyed the beauty of the Canadian landscape 

in all kinds of weather. In these works of art I have chosen 

to zoom in and look closely at the leaves and pine needles 

that are but a small part of the wonderful designs that nature 

offers up for our sensory enjoyment. 

"Forest Floor No. 1",  Quilt, 26" x 42".
Painted and manipulated using Colour Vie pigments.
I screen printed the pine needle.

I created a series of small works of art (6" x 6")
that I call "Hidden Treasures No's 1 to 5"
The fabric is painted and screen printed and
the leaf in the black rectangle is printed using
and actual leaf. www.colourvie.com

"Granite Saddle, Georgian Bay",
by Sharron Deacon Begg

n

"Ghost Canoe" by Jackie Venus

If you're in Peterborough, Ontario, be sure to take in

Dorothy Caldwell's exhibition "Silent Ice/Deep Patience"

at the Art Gallery of Peterborough. http://www.agp.on.ca/

Dorothy Caldwell at the Art Gallery of Peterborough
Screen print discharge, stitching

Dorothy Caldwell at the Art Gallery of Peterborough until June 1.

This spring we have had some fabulous workshops in 

the Colour Vie Studio. AND more coming up!

On April 26 - 27 I will be teaching a super fun introductory workshop:

“GUERILLA SCREEN PRINTING ON FABRIC” 

For information about the workshop and how to register, please

visit www.colourvie.com and click on Workshops.

Guerilla Screen Printing

AND on May 10 I will be teaching:

“ADD AND SUBTRACT - Discharging Made Easy” 

Learn to use household bleach in combination with pigments 

to create exciting one-of-a-kind fabrics. 

For information about the workshop and how to register, please

visit www.colourvie.com and click on Workshops.

Discharged fabrics drying.