At last.......I have finished the piece in which I used the coffee-stained fabric I worked on in the previous post. I have long wanted to challenge myself with collaging a piece that had mist in it. Thanks to some sort of sheer gauzy fabric my wonderful sister gave me I was able to come up with a reasonable facsimile of mist. It's all about layering when you collage. I imagine the fabric was intended for curtains in its day or maybe a dress overlay ?? Also, the reason I wanted fabric without the white, white background is because the background fabrics I had chosen were more muted and not stark white. It all blended pretty well. Anyway, I had a working title of "Misty Morning" so maybe I'll stick with that....not sure. You can click on the image if you want to see it up a little closer.
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I have chosen some fabrics for my next textile fusion collage. I am working with only a couple of colors, yellow and gray, but several shades of those colors. The pattern I was looking for was perfect in this fabric. Well, as much as I have repeated that I enjoy the hunt for fabric- and I REALLY do !! - I couldn't justify it so I had to think of something else. I remembered the tea/coffee dyeing technique I had done in the past for other craft projects and decided to try that. Make quite a strong mixture of coffee and water with a spoon in the bowl - maybe 2 Tablespoons of coffee to 1 cup water. It just depends on how much color you want to add to the fabric. Experiment with a small swatch of fabric first to make sure it is what you want. or you can make it blotchy by laying the fabric flat and spooning a little bit here and there if that is the look you want. The longer you leave it in the darker it will get I usually let it drip a bit rather than wringing it out and I don't rinse it for collage purposes. Experiment with that as well to see what works best for your particular use. Then, spread it out flat on a plate or cookie sheet. Let it dry and that's it ! Check out the link below if you want to use tea-dyeing for clothing. It will have to be "set" with vinegar or a vinegar and water mixture and it's advisable to not wash it with lights for the first few washings as they might make the lights look dingy.
https://suite.io/genevieve-kiger/228g25p A Little Collage HistoryThe first techniques of using collage are said to have occurred in China around 200 BC when paper was invented. Xin Song recreates ancient cut paper techniques in "Tree of Life" , 2012.
There are many collage artists currently. One of my favorites is Laura Breitman. Her collages are almost photorealistic. This piece called " Maple" is absolutely stunning ! Collaging fabric or paper or almost anything opens up a whole new world of expression for an artist.
![]() " Two Sisters ( on a terrace)" Seems pretty straightforward, right ? I viewed this piece before I had seen the title and assumed it was a mother and daughter. My perspective labeled it that way..... someone else's might not have. Then there is the "rest of the story". One could imagine any number of events surrounding this moment caught in time. And I don't think it matters what was really going on. It merely enhances, or embellishes, our perspective on the world as we view it. That's what art does if we are really observant. It may take a little more effort with contemporary art because we do so love our comfort zones. I challenge you to be challenged by what artists "make us see". My musings for today:). “The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious - the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science.” ― Albert Einstein I have been exploring the possibility of using a throw-away portion of most pieces of fabric. There have been some who have used the selvages of fabric (selvage : a ) the edge on either side of a woven or flat-knitted fabric so finished as to prevent raveling; specifically : a narrow border often of different or heavier threads than the fabric and sometimes in a different weave); such as this clever girl : http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/2008/10/big-selvedge-project.html This is exquisitely done !! I have been using selvages in a different manner. I guess you might call it coiled textiles. Still working on the possibilites but here is a peek at what I have been experimenting with. Maybe it isn't "true art" yet.....but it has elicited a " mysterious emotion".
I love that quote! It resonates with me right now because I am feeling a lot of the dust of daily life on my soul. It does not define art as to what it “should” be or what its parameters are. It merely states that it is a healing medium. Both artist and viewer are transported to another place. Art has the power to renew and adjust our thinking and even our spirit. I believe all of us have an element of creativity in us. Those who explore that side of themselves are in for a treat! We just have to remember not to expect perfection. It is the journey that matters.
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I am a fabric/textile artist. I love hunting for fabric, new or re-purposed, to use in my Archives
March 2015
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