Explore the creative process, and liberate the artist in you. Textiles speak on both a sensual and intellectual level. My inspiration comes from ethnic textiles of many cultures, but always reflects some personal development in my life. Using design exercises, learn how an artist's mind works, and get inspired to create your next masterpiece. We will explore a variety of surface design techniques including Shibori to turn your stash of handwoven cloth into art. We will work on silk cloth, preferably your own handwoven silk cloth, or some I will provide at cost. You will be encouraged to see the possibilities in your own fabrics. Take chances, embrace artistic risks and develop a personal style. Finishing and mounting will be emphasized to produce gallery ready artwork.

For this class, a maximum of 12 students is appropriate.

Students should bring handwoven silk cloth to dye, embroider, embellish, and should be comfortable cutting and otherwise manipulating the cloth. I will have commercial silk cloth available to purchase if necessary. Students should also bring examples of their work finished or not for discussion of possible surface design embellishment.

In addition, please bring the following: notebook and colored pencils, rubber gloves, apron, needles, heavy nylon thread, scissors, small firm brush, yarn or other optional objects for embellishment, and an image of your favorite ethnic or traditional or even contemporary textile as a source of personal inspiration.

I will supply dyes, chemicals, paints, clamps, etc. I will also bring silk cloth to be sold at cost to students who do not choose to bring handwoven cloth to work on. We work in silk cloth because of the ease in dying with acid dyes. We can modify this workshop to work in cotton etc, or silk on indigo if you prefer.

I will need a slide projector and screen, an appropriate place to set up dye pots, tables for students to work at, an easel or drawing board. In addition we will need an ironing board.