This piece, which never really did a whole lot for me...
... got a bath this week to tone down its high contrast, a bit.
Now that I'm liking it better...
...it got covered with flour paste today.
This is the largest FPR I've done so far, cotton sateen measuring 90" by 45" (selvage to selvage), and it's taking up my entire work table in the wet studio. However, the weather here right now is unseasonably dry and I expect it to be cured by tomorrow morning and ready for its next layer.
Monday's FPR was dry by yesterday morning, so it got its next layer, too- medium green textile paint.
Because this was treated with textile paint, it will need to cure for about a week before it's safe to wash out the flour. It looks promising, though a bit busy. It might need a final, unifying overdye of a solid color.
Also out the dye baths this week were some mostly unremarkable scraps as well as some lovely, nubbly cheesecloth.
On March 6th of this year, I started stuffing excess thread schmutz into one of my hanging squirrel feeders.
It looked so pretty and was such a great solution for offering nesting fiber to the birds while keeping it mostly contained. Over time, it has begun to resemble a "disintegration bundle", which I've found fascinating. (A disintegration bundle is a package of paper, fabric, metal and fibers that some artists hang from fences and trees in order to study the effect the elements have on the materials.)
I can tell that the birds are using these fibers because I find them tugged out and hanging loose, and they are also strewn around the yard, like bright little baubles in the grass. My hope is to one day spot some of this material in a birds' nest so I can photograph it.
And finally, one from the feeders.
Happy creating!
12 comments:
Why did you decide to do the second layer with green paint, why not thickened dye? Curious minds want to know.
Also, what did your piece get its bath in? Was there dye in the bucket to moderate the brightness? I personally loved it. I have a piece I love that's similar but done with orange and blue. The two pieces (yours and mine) remind me of the photos through the Hubble telescope!
Can't wait to see what's next!
These crackle pieces are great! If I had some plan for using them I would try making some myself. I need to think on that. I have been working so small lately. I suppose I could make a small piece for experimental purposes. I don't need to make gargantuan ones like you do;-)
These pieces are gorgeous. I have some in the planning but inertia has set in and I need someone to light a fire under my butt!
Oh My! Monday's FPR is so ethereal. I feel like I'm under a tree and peering out. This thinner paste seems like it'll work fine. Good job! Good idea to treat the birds!
Last year, I had so many wool snippets from embroidery yarn, and I saw the blue tits collecting stuff on my balcony. I offered them my wool, but they did not take it. Wonder why. Maybe they did not like the colors... No pun. They might like the colors that don't show...
Beautiful!
Yesterday I taught hubby batik with wax and then flour resist. I can not tell the difference! I used a very thin layer of flour paste.
The best part...FPR clean up is a breeze!
Thank you for All the inspiration
It's not a good idea to offer thread and bits of fabric to birds. They like it but the fiber will retain moisture and create an unhealthy environment for the babies in the nest.
I love the orange/yellow piece you are FPR'ing...what didn't you like about it?
The purplish/lavender with green textile paint - I'd like to see the next layer done with pole-wrapped shibori or something like that, in a much darker color. Just MHO. Gail
... and the long threads can get tangled around their tiny little feet and necks ...
Loving that second piece with the green on it!
No, I'm definitely not tired of fpr! Your fabrics are gorgeous and so inspiring. I tried some dyeing last week - cooked a little piece of cotton in the black bean juice! I hung it up to dry in the laundry room and today I noticed it and wondered where the dirty rag came from! At least I can only get better now.
I love the nubbly cheesecloth. Where can I get some?
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