Charmed by new prints in Prints Charming

This week is the start of a couple of workshops I am teaching at the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design for the Spring term: Prints Charming and Irresistible Dye Techniques. It was delightful to see a few familiar faces in the group who have participated in my previous classes. 

Prints Charming is a four week course where we cover designing and printing a one stencil print;  exploring different effects through printing with more than one colour ink through the screen; registration techniques to create a two colour print; block printing; and combining all methods to create some stunning designs.

Below are some of the charming prints created in the first week by my talented students.

Beetroots by Rebecca

Lavender by Maya

 Doily Blossoms by Roberta

Two tone hearts by Elizabeth

Layered sunflowers by Linda

Marine Sticks by Moira 

Art Mentor

Earlier in the year I was approached by a Masters student studying Education who is writing their thesis focusing on the phenomenon of student learning within the context of adversity. Trauma can interfere with the healthy and normal development of academic and cognitive skills needed for students to succeed in school. 

They asked me to assist them in the creation of an altered book that would visually represent their experiences of adversity as a teaching aid for the classroom to provide a better understanding into the academic failure and struggle that children can encounter. 

We are currently exploring different options on how to represent the visual journey. It is anticipated that the altered book will be completed by the end of the year, with a printable version available for the school curriculum available shortly thereafter. 

Furoshiki at NSCCD

This weekend I taught a two day workshop to make furoshiki Japanese wrapping cloths. Working with cotton and silk with indigo dye we experimented with different shibori (resist dying techniques) to create beautiful fabrics that can be used as an alternative for wrapping paper.

  

Both beautiful and functional they can be used as a lunch bag alternative, a eco-wrapping technique, and even a clothing garment. The fabulous thing about furoshiki is that the fabric can be as special as the gift inside and it can be reused many times.

Ne-maki shibori - thread resist pattern

The end result is a gift that keeps on giving.

Itajime - folded and clamp resist pattern

For more information: 

Pinterest board for shibori designs - a collection of ideas and techniques 

Facebook page - A place where workshop participants share images of their creation

Furoshiki - fabulous site on ways to fold and wrap your present using cloth 

Honeycomb shibori

This course will be offered again as part of the Spring program at the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design  over two Saturdays, May 27 and Jun 03, 2017 from 12:30 - 3:30 pm. 

REGISTRATION Details:

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Call Alexis, our Studio Coordinator, at 902-492-2524. If you're leaving a message, please make sure to - Leave your Name, Number, and the Class you want to sign up for. If you're in a hurry, you can also call Becky, our Administrative Coordinator at 902-492-2522.