Friday, November 23, 2012

The Effects of Bleach

Assorted cotton fabrics with application of bleach....I used reg. bleach, Soft Scrub and dishwashing gel with mixed results. This photo is of my first attempt using a mix of colored fabrics with my handmade stamps and bought stencils. My second approach was with different and mostly dark fabrics but using same stamps and stencils. I've had some time to look at them and like or dislike the results. The gray and navy cotton bleached out to a pinkish color and I think I will overprint with fabric paints to give them some depth. So now I have a larger inventory to create some new samples. I'm still reading my book and watching my DVD of "Walking the Bible" and it speaks of and shows some wonderful biblical desert imagery. Like being an archaeologist without the heat and dirt! This past week I've been applying embroidery to a piece with metallic threads and that has been a challenge! I'm using old metallic threads from my scrap box and of course it hasn't been enough so  I've added to it by buying more? Now I have more metallic threads then before so my efforts to use what I have is a joke on me?!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a quiet dinner at home but last week celebrated with the neighborhood at a big dinner at our clubhouse...tons of good food and friendship. We have guest chefs (neighbors that want to take on the job of feeding 50-60people) ...this neighbor has cooked for years at his church and his wife is a nutritionist so together they pulled off a great night! We all pay a small price and have a clean up crew so the job is big but there is some help too.
 This evening we are going to the movies to see "Lincoln" !
Good art making days ahead!!!!

15 comments:

  1. I like what I'm seeing, what a great way to alter fabric will make them far more interesting to work into art pieces. Love it, thanks for sharing

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    1. Bren, I agree, the fabric is altered and ready for some creative play.

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  2. These fabrics have a tribal look about them. Nomadic desert tribes....
    Hope you enjoyed the movie!
    Good art making days ahead .... glorious anticipation!

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    1. Robyn, Nomadic desert tribes...I like that very much...a good beginning!

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  3. these are all gorgeous. thanks for showing what you have been doing with bleach as i was curious.

    what fun to have the big dinner! with your neighbors. i would enjoy such a sense of community that seems to be lacking here.

    your work is so inspiring. be well, suki

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    1. Suki, I do this printing outside because of the bleach so I depend on good weather and it also makes quite a mess so energy is key!
      Some of the neighbors have become close and some have even vacationed together. I am not such an easy mixer preferring studio time over social stuff...husband enjoys the chit chat!

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  4. this is such an inspiring post - bleach!! - this has got me thinking - these pieces are wonderful!! thank you, xox

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    1. Sharing our process and our beginnings and our images...this makes my world richer everyday!

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  5. oh my, I have been playing with a bleach pen... so fun... and so happy that you had a nice holiday, sounds like mine, blissful. I loved Lincoln, hope you did too... just wonderful acting... did you happen to notice all the brown paper packages tied up with string? in almost every scene... interesting

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    1. Caterina, I loved Lincoln but missed the brown paper packages...caught up in some of the brutal realities and loving the rich dialogue.
      I too have used the bleach pen...mixed results for me!

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  6. Those fabric bits look like a small wealth: treasures in themselves, but also worthy of plundering for larger ventures. Metallic thread--something I love and hate. Love the look of it, hate working with it. But would never give it up.

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    1. I love your comment with the exciting words...treasures, plundering with words like love and hate sprinkled in to the mix! I'm hoping these pieces do inspire larger adventures. Oh, the metallic threads...patience for threading the needle over and over but like you, I like the results!

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  7. Sounds like you had a wonderful week, fun with bleach, and turkey and "Lincoln". The colors of your archaeology "dig" are truly lovely..Amazing, as always...

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  8. Lyn, Thank you for dropping by...I would highly recommend Lincoln but there are some other great movies coming out this fall and winter too!

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  9. How wonderful, your results of your bleaching... you inspire me to experiment myself!
    roxanne

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