Information from Hither and Yon, West Coast USA

Before I present yet another mixed list of resources, I hope you agree with me that the more you look at, and play with, different forms of art, the better your own work. You might be surprised at what I list here, but I found for example, that even though I will likely never do more goldwork than what I did in a class, it reminded me once again how satisfying painstaking handwork can be. And it satisfied my curiosity about goldwork. Beautiful but not washable! And that gold is expensive! It has brought me back to my old ideas of doing embroidery on my wearable art. I don't need to follow current trends of doing everything by machine. I like to go slow, make changes in design as I go along, and it's a prime form of releasing stress (especially in front of a boring tv). Anyhow, for that reason I'm offering up a potpourri of workshops I wish we could all attend, and some online shopping to tempt you too.

## Shibori: Pressure-Resist Fabric Dyeing with Joy-Lily, workshop on Saturday March 28, 10 - 4 PM at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 6780 Depot St. Sebastopol, CA. Here's a description of shibori from Joy-Lily:
"Pressure-resist is probably the oldest method used world-wide for dyeing colors into fabric. In Japan it is called shibori, in Indonesia pelangi, in India banda, in South America amarras, in Nigeria onikon, and in the U.S, tie-dye. Stitch, wrap, pleat, bind, clamp, bunch, fold or knot cotton, silk, rayon challis, linen, bamboo or hemp. In the dyebath, little or no color flows into the tightly compressed areas. The resulting patterns clearly show where the dye goes and where it is resisted. Re-dye the same fabric in another color with a different resist and the results get very exciting!" In this workshop we'll use color-fast dye, mostly Procion MX. We'll also do some painted shibori using the new vinyl-sulphon dyes (they replace Procion H dyes, now discontinued.) $80 + $5 supply fee (includes a silk scarf). To register: 707 829-4797 www.sebarts.org

## Search on Google for Procion H. You will find excellent information about the new vinyl-sulphon dyes that replace it in Paula Burch's website http://www.pburch.net--move down the page to find the Dyer's Forum questions and answers. The Jacquard site www.jacquardproducts.com has information, paint, dye, fabric and other art products, and just as important, an inspiring gallery including wearable art.

## Silk painting classes by Susan Louise Moyer, author of SILK PAINTING, The Artist's Guide to Gutta and Wax Resist Techniques and the new revised edition of SILK PAINTING for FASHION and FINE ART. (Both fabulous books but I especially like the last one.)
5-Day Workshop, Gualala, CA, April 13-17, 2009, Monday-Friday 9am-4pm DyeColor� Painting on Silk
Watercolor enthusiasts as well as silk painters will find this workshop to be a departure from tradition and an inspiration for new directions. The technique called DyeColor� painting on silk involves preparing the surface of the silk so that liquid dyes can be applied to the silk without the use of a linear resist. DyeColor� painting techniques are similar to the way watercolor is painted on paper. As a surface to work on, silk enables the artist to achieve luminous rich color and new creative options. For example, gutta and wax resist techniques, flowing dye, and discharge techniques can be combined with DyeColor� painting on the same work of art.
We will start by setting up our palette and learning a color theory system that will assist you in mixing clear, bright and in some cases glowing color. I will teach traditional watercolor and silk painting techniques related to DyeColor� painting including washes, shading, blending, wet-in-wet, stenciling and wax resist.
Workshop: $500, Materials fee: $65 Level: Novice-Advanced, no more than 12 students. Phone: 707 884-1138 E-mail: info@GualalaArts.org www.gualalaarts.org

## I don't wear makeup or a lot of jewelry but every time I've gone to Houston I felt I needed earrings. I always ended up in Meg Hannann's booth because what she made was both original and light--and invariably she had something that was a perfect match to my latest piece of wearable art. I found two pairs of earrings in this still unpacked house, so here's a photo. Now Meg has a website for her Fabric Jewels: www.meghannann.com. Beginning in early March she's going to start a workshop: What Color Is Your Heart? Check it out on the Workshop page! (She makes wonderful heart-shaped pieces.)

## Over the years my favorite place to hang out has been the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles. I spent many hours looking at the work of art quilt masters, getting my face in close to study their technique, trying to figure out how they chose the colors, why they put those two fabrics together, and so on. From the beginning of executive director Jane Przybysz's arrival, I knew she would be adding ethnic displays. We've already had a show of Vietnamese contemporary art clothing. Now we have "Changing Landscapes: Contemporary Chinese Fiber Art," the first exhibition of contemporary Chinese fiber art ever to travel to the United States. This exhibition, which includes 45 works of tapestry, sculpture, and mixed media by 48 artists, was created in partnership with Beijing's Tsinghua University's Fiber Arts Institute. You can see and read more at
www.SJQuiltMuseum.org. The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles is at 520 South First Street San Jose California 95113.

## When you wander through the gift shop at the quilt museum you will see works from Therese May. I took a very freeing stamping class with Therese once, have been following her career for many years because I get an emotional reaction every time. Her style is "quirky"--paint on fabric, beading, very much contemporary folk art. A truly memorable piece was in a quilt exhibit honoring the children that died in the terror bombing in Oklahoma. I looked at all those quilts but Therese spoke to me best of all about those innocent little souls winging off to heaven--it was a very peaceful and healing piece. I have two websites where you can see Therese's works including bumper strips and a coloring book that you can buy. The second website is where Therese has listed upcoming workshops and exhibits.
www.zazzle.com/theresemay
www.quiltpower.com/Turkey_Coloring_Book.html

## Elizabeth Floyd wrote a note online that an exhibit of pojagi at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco will start March 18 (Contemporary Korean Fiber Art--Reinterpreting the Korean Patchwork). I was introduced to pojagi by artist Jack Brockette who used the technique to perfection with his acid-dyed silk jackets www.brockette.com. Do have a look at his gallery of silk jackets. Pojagi are traditionally "wrapping cloths" made of little rectangles of fabric, sewn together with something like 1/8" French seams so that all seams are delicately finished. I'm going to plan to go to this show in San Francisco and will report back. I wish you were going with me Jack!