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Lac Vert
2008 dyes on silk 24 x 20"
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For thirty years my home and studio have been on Grand Calumet Island in the Ottawa River about 90 km north-west of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. Painting with dyes on silk I create sculptures, masks, kites, wall hangings, kimonos and framed paintings. As a visual artist I am lucky to have chosen painted silk as my primary medium. Silk fibre is unsurpassed in its ability to express colour and allows me the freedom to create three dimensional work as well as wall art and functional pieces. |
| Throughout the year I exhibit at galleries and juried exhibitions in Ontario and Quebec. Internationally I have shown my work in Nagoya, Japan; St. Petersburg, Russia and Vermont, U.S.A. Each June, I join with other artists in Pontiac County in promoting The Pontiac Artists' Studio Tour. My studio is open year round by appointment. I am interested in exploring new themes and in doing site-specific work; therefore welcoming commissions. |
About Painting with
dyes on silk
The basic techniques for painting with dyes on silk are relatively simple. To
begin, a piece of white silk is stretched horizontally on a table frame. Lines
are drawn on the silk using a resist. The resist penetrates the fabric and when
dry acts as a barrier, stopping the flow of dye and defining the figure or design.
Liquid dyes are then applied by brush, working quickly to combine and blend
the colours before they dry. When dry, the finished painting is steamed in order
to fix the dye into the fibre, making it both wash and light fast. Excess dye
is then rinsed out and the silk is ready for finishing or framing. A silk painting
should last as long as other mediums. As with all paintings, avoid direct sunlight
and excess heat and humidity.
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Map to Studio 
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