Painting on Fabric Experiment
I haven’t spent much time in my studio the past few weeks for a number of reasons. Today, I decided enough is enough, I must do something creative. I’m afraid, however, that I may have created some more UFOs! I wanted to experiment with paint on fabric with no expectation of a final product, and thought why not today? I have a few textile paints but they’re mostly metallics and pearlescents. So, in addition to those, I decided to use some acrylics as well. My thinking is that artists paint on canvas, so it’s really no different to paint on regular old fabric, right? There may be a color fastness issue, but then again, I don’t really plan on running these pieces through the wash. Actually, come to think of it, most of the acrylic paint that has ever inadvertently made its way onto my clothing, has stayed there through many washings despite my best efforts to remove!
Anyway, I collect a number of everyday items to use in making art inlcuding, styrofoam meat trays, plastic netted fruit bags, aluminum, and basically anything with an interesting texture. I started by cutting out the checkered waffle part of a styrofoam tray and using that to print on the fabric. I used a couple of different colors for this and painted on 2 pieces of fabric, one pink and the other orange. This morning, I had also collected some maple leaves. I painted these a turquoise color and printed these on fabric. I dyed some cheescloth and then arranged some cut bits and pieces on my background fabric.
My first finished piece morphed into an ACEO, probably since I’ve been making these for the past few months and they’re relatively quick to put together. This particular one didn’t photograph very well and is a little busy, but overall, I enjoyed the experiment. Once I took out the paints, my ideas expanded from there. Plus, while one thing was drying, I could work on another piece. I have some larger pieces that I’m also working on right now, in addition to 2 6″ square paintings that I started a month ago.
What have I been up to the past week? I have been considering getting a license to teach and attended an informational session at the University of Colorado for people who have a degree but not in education. I also applied for a substitute teaching license which required getting fingerprinted and submitting to a background check. I’m not quite sure if I want to get licensed to teach art or possibly forgo that all together and get an elementary license. I’ve been talking with a lot of people including teachers and let’s face it, art teaching jobs are few and far between. I have been volunteering at my daughter’s school every week now and I have to say, I have really enjoyed working with all the children.
Meanwhile, thank goodness election day has come and gone. I stood in line for 1 1/2 hours to vote yesterday, my husband was in line for 2 1/2 hours after he got off work. I’m not sure about other states, but Denver, CO tried to go from 300+ voting precincts to 55 “voting centers”. Imagine the log-jam!
November 9th, 2006 at 1:29 am
Did you glue the ends of the cheesecloth or did you sew them into the back ground, one by one?
November 9th, 2006 at 1:37 am
I’ve played a lot with fabric in my paintings, layering acrylics over it and have never had a problem with the color fading (of course, give them 50 years and we’ll see!). I LOVE the raw quality of the piece that you have here. Great work. Have you considered doing private lessons? I taught a few through my town and no teaching degree is needed.
November 9th, 2006 at 4:45 am
The texture and the colour are really nice. Great that you have a lot of ideas regarding making use of daily items. My son always takes something home and ask us to re-use it or make it into an art piece. I still haven’t yet figured out what to do with the stylofoam box. Teaching kids art lessons is indeed a challenging job. I’m sure you’ll just do a great job.
November 9th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
Love this new piece!
I worked as a substitute teacher for two years and I loved working with the kids! I even went back to school while I thought about getting my teaching certificate. My husband is a teacher(music), so I thought it would be a good thing to get into. Then my art started selling more and so I decided that was what I really wanted to do.
Private art lessons would be a great alternative if you didn’t want to go through the whole certification process. Good luck with whatever you decide!
November 9th, 2006 at 2:03 pm
Hi Janet, I fused the solid pieces of fabric with Wonderunder, but the cheesecloth had to be sewn on otherwise, the fusible web would stick to my iron.
That’s good to know Jessica! I’ve had several people suggest that I do private lessons or kid’s lessons, especially in ceramics. That’s one thing that they don’t really get at the elementary school level. I’m just not sure.
Fennymun, I am a recycler and don’t feel quite so bad about some of my purchases if I can re-purpose them!
Hi Paula! The application to CU isn’t due until March 15th, so I have a little time and then the program itself doesn’t start until next fall. Even the advisors at CU suggested getting a sub license to see what it’s like being in the classroom all day. I’ve been at my daughter’s school every Wed. morning helping the kids who need to catch up on reading and math. But, even I know that I’m comfortable there and I know all the kids too. It would be different subbing. I do love the kids, they’re always happy to see me and ask when I’m coming in.
November 9th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
Getting the license is a good idea. You are half way there with volunteering at school — and if they have volunteers helping the substitutes, all the better.
November 9th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
That’s a beautiful piece!
November 10th, 2006 at 2:29 am
I love this Cynthis. The open weave gives it such an applealing look.
November 10th, 2006 at 3:14 am
Cyn this has some beautiful color, textures and patterns, you’re on to something wonderful with your experimenting on fabric! Hey it sounds like you are making a good career move, good luck and wtg!
November 10th, 2006 at 3:43 pm
I think it’s a good idea too, Janet, though I am proceeding with eyes wide open. I want to make sure that’s really what I want to do.
Thank you, Standing under the sky and Mary!
Hi Lyn! We’ll see about the career move…but I will share if I decide to apply, thanks for the comments.