Monday, August 16, 2010

Amazing News, and Surface Design

I hope you all really like surface design (a lot, a lot, a lot) because starting in October and lasting for the next two and a half years, it'll possibly be about the only thing you'll see on this blog! That's because I've been accepted to Jane Dunnewold's Art Cloth Masteries Program for 2011!! The program will cover all aspects of surface design and fabric dyeing. It's a huge honor to have been accepted and I am thrilled beyond words. I can't wait to get started!!

I have no idea how taking this class will effect either my work or my blogging, nor how much of what I'm learning I will be able to blog about. I know that the work load will probably kick my tush, but I am highly motivated and up for the challenge.

So while I nervously waited this week to hear news of whom had been accepted, I puttered with fabric, deconstructed screen printing, Thermofax screen printing and some overdyeing.

A couple of weeks ago, I showed you how this 100% cotton Primatex started as an only partly-successful deconstructed screen print to which I added several layers of traditional screening with textile inks and paints.


Interesting start, but the original DSP wasn't making me happy. I charged a few more screens with dyes, let them dry, and tried again.

(45" x 45")

MUCH happier! It still needs work, it's a little muddled in the middle and the bottom half is still fading away, but it's got some really fabulous bits happening in it.

(detail)

(detail)

A few other pieces are in various stages of preparations.


This is the second layer of a somewhat familiar theme for me (I did a similar piece that sold at QSDS earlier this year), so to keep it from becoming a repeat, I'll have to run it off the rails in some other direction and watch what happens.


This is the third layer for this piece of cotton muslin. It was hand-dyed, and then screened with black dye and then screened again with white textile ink. No idea where it will end up.

This one is feeling almost complete to me. It needs a little more attention and then some serious trimming with the rotary cutter!


I never would have thought I'd like this motley thing. It started as a deconstructed screen printing on white cotton that just never really "took", in my mind. One day I had some leftover kelly green dye that was already activated with soda ash (and therefore needed to be used right away), so I tossed the remains into a container with this. Bleck, it was seriously awful. I sent it to the discharge bucket and then sat on it for a few more weeks, hating it and not knowing how to fix it. Finally, I just started screening the heck out of it until it began to look better.

(detail)

This opportunity to study for two and a half years with an artist the caliber of Jane Dunnewold is mind-boggling to me. Two years ago, I shifted my focus from painting to fabrics and surface design, and a whole new world of art opened up for me. This weekend, even more of it unfolded when I read the email welcoming me to the next class. I intend to suck up every moment of education and wisdom I can.

Wish me luck! Happy creating!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

congrats on getting accepted Judi!

Loving the results on that last piece - great combo of colors and texture.

Anita M said...

Hi Judi,
I'm jealous! I got bumped for last year's class due to space and lack of luck of the draw. This year has been spent in wedding prep for daughter #1 which allows for no spare $$ to commit to Jane. So I'm hoping that I may try again next year. I really look forward to whatever you may write about the experience. I'd really love to hear the perspective of a student on all aspects of the class.

elle said...

Judi, you are amazing, what you do is amazing and your tush will do amazingly well, especially if leverage is applied! ;) That first set looks wonderfully corrugated. I luv all the layering. As I said, Amazing!

Robin said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!
I really love how the first piece of your blog has started looking like it has the 3D element of corrugated cardboard. It really jumps out of the screen.
R

Pamela said...

Congratulations! I'm so jealous of the time you will spend with the most giving teacher. Enjoy. Looking forward to the subsequent blog posts.

Cate Rose said...

Congrats, Judi, that's fabulous news. And your work is awesome, as always!

Katrina said...

I am always in awe of your process and how it leads to such wonderful cloth.
An adventure with Jane! Oh you Lucky (and deserving) Girl!

Vicki W said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful opportunity!

leilani said...

Congratulations!

And. . . I anxiously await the visual treats in store for us from your Master class.

Jane - the best possible teacher!

Carole said...

Congratulations Judi!! You will really benefit I am sure.. and I will be watching your blog, even more closely than I do now!
Love looking at the process of your work...

Wil said...

Congratulations Judi! I was tempted by her class as well, but living here it was simply no option.

Liz said...

Congratulations! I am green...

Nina Marie said...

Oh congrats!! Studying under Jane I'm sure will be great. I'm going to sign up for her class at QBL next year to finally dip my foot into the world of surface design. You're work already looks amazing though. . .

Julie said...

Fantastic news! Congratulations on being selected. Enjoy every minute, you'll have a ball!

Robbie said...

Judi, FANTASTIC & CONGRATS! What a wonderful opportunity that will certainly enhance your art work even more! Just awesome!

Fibra Artysta said...

CONGRATULATIONS! Love the fabric - I'm so excited for you!

Jan said...

What a deal! congratulations Judi, I am thrilled for you and you so deserve this. I will be watching your blog to see what you are able to post. You are going to have so much fun although I imagine it will also be some hard work.
I love that piece that you showed today that you did over, the beginning one. Good work. they are all good.

Connie Akers said...

Congratulations. This is something I hope can be in my future. Your work is beautiful and I'm sure will grow with Jane's guidance.

Quilter Beth said...

Congratulations on being chosen for the class. I can't imagine what "worlds" will open up to you now. I'm thinking your art looks wonderful already. What is it Oprah says...something like, "Your star shines so bright it hurts my eyes!" Good for you!

jackie said...

Well done, I'm sure everyone reading your blog will benefit. Have a wonderful, stimulating time.

Gayle Pritchard said...

Judi, I am so happy for you. I can't wait to see what you make. Congratulations!

Angela said...

Hi Judi,

congratulations! I am in the Mastery 2010 class and it is such a wonderful opportunity. I for one think there is no substitute for the actual studio time both with Jane and the other students. Questions come up, discussions are enlightening and having Jane there to bounce things off of is irreplaceable. Good luck and I will follow your blog.