After making your base fabric (see post below) then you can machine or hand stitch as desired.

A Quick Lesson

If you click on the photo is will get much larger and you can better see all the textural elements.
1.) Stretch silk organza over a frame
2.) Coat with fluid matte medium - let dry
3.) Paint with thinned acrylic paint - let dry
4.) Adhere papers of your choice with matte medium - let dry
5.) Adhere tissue paper with mattte medium - let dry
6.) Over paint with thinned paints - spritz with alcohol - let dry
7.) Spray alcohol on paper toweling or tissue paper & rub back paint in various areas
8.) Repeat 6 & 7 if you so desire or let dry.

Why Small Art?

It seems my art work will have a spot in the Feb issue of the Danforth Museum of Art's newsletter. They feature my small 4x6er's and ATC's in their museum shop and have asked me what I enjoy about creating small art. After much thought the words below flowed out.

"What defines art? I’m certainly far from an expert but I do know that any creative work that is compelling, grabs your attention and makes you keep coming back for more is surely an artistic piece. When art work has made a connection with the viewer, that person has been affected in an extraordinary manner. By its very nature art created with cloth and thread is very textural and calls out to be touched, felt and emotionally embraced. This fact is one of the reasons I enjoy creating small textile art pieces. When the viewer is able to hold a textile piece an intimate connection develops that transcends definition. When a piece can be seen upfront and personal by propping it on a shelf by the kitchen sink, or at a desk, or near other spaces that are used in our daily lives it helps to bring pleasure to our everyday world. I also enjoy knowing that my small pieces are affordable, collectable art that can be enjoyed by those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to purchase artwork. To have the ability to bring a smile to someone’s face is a pleasure that makes this artist’s heart sing."

Virtues of Pastels & Dyeing

I am still exploring pastels. I did this last night during my Thursday evening class given by Shawn Dell Joyce . There's a lot wrong with it but also some right with it and, since I'm just a beginner doing baby steps, I'm pleased with the results. To me, pastels are as exciting and intimate (afterall one gets as upfront, personal and messy with pastels as with textile paints) as working with dyes and paints on cloth.

A couple more texture studies.

The first photo below shows the 'front' of a piece that is silk organza painted with transparent acrylics and torn papers adhered with matte gel medium. I had every intention of securing tissue paper, stitching and overpainting this until .......

.....I turned it over. This second photo shows that same piece from the reverse side. I think I'm going to use this reverse side as the base and add some tissue, stitching and over painting. Texture, baby, texture.

2 more ATC's that will be going to the Danforth Museum of Art. It seems that when people find out what artist trading cards are all about they get very excited and want to join in by starting a collection. Martha at the Danforth told me that one of her customers is spear heading an ATC group at a local nursing home there. I don't know a lot of the details right now but I'll keep you posted.