This week I have quietly contemplated my recent exercise in repeat dye and paint applications on to three different substrates. All three may be viewed here. The following are some of my thoughts on the outcome.
* I like the freedom in painting on the paper; gestural applications can be expressive, whereas on the fabrics they drag.
* Wet paint pools and blends on the paper, but the fabrics soak up the dye and restrict this activity.
* All printing and stamping techniques, using printing paints, respond the same on all three substrates.
* Applications don't dry as quick on the paper allowing for further activity, they don't dry quickly on the fabric substrates either where they sink into the fibres but are difficult to spread or shift further.
My preference, at this point in time, is the results on the cotton duck. I really like the way the wet dye wicks along the grain of the fabric. This seems to happen in one direction only, and in my test piece, this runs vertically. It softens the application and merges with the edges of previous applications. Also, wet dye does give total coverage, but not always fully as it will settle partly on the top surface of the fibres in some areas which I like.
Applications on the cotton duck.As also mentioned in my previous blog I was planning to make a cot quilt to donate to the Christchurch earthquake victims. Using previously hand-dyed cottons, I have now finished my first cot quilt. I am not a quilter but did recall how to stitch and quilt at the same time. And with the help of the walking foot on my machine, I was able to machine stitch the whole piece.
My selection of hand-dyed cottons waiting for a purpose.
No, it is not an art quilt but I did enjoy the simplicity of the task.
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I can see what you're getting at Diana - about the fabric not allowing gestural applications to move across the fabric ... What would happen if you screened a layer of thick print paste over the piece first - then the fabric might allow more movement ... perhaps ... do you think?
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