When I first came to New Mexico in 1959, I immediately fell in
love with the clear blue skies, the mountains and the red-rock
landscapes.
You can find that same enchantment in my silk painting. The interplay
of color, light and texture is wonderfully exciting. My original
designs are inspired by the landscape, cultures and myths of the
Southwest; my experiences with children; travels; gardening; and
love of impressionist and abstract art.
My silk art is a uniting of fabric, color, design & drape.
Silk fibers are smooth and triangular when viewed in cross-section.
The smoothness gives silk its gloss and the spinning and weaving
of silk bends the fibers, so each section becomes a tiny facet
which reflects light. This jewel-like sheen of fine silk is highly
prized and enhances the intensity of colors used in painting these
wearable art pieces.
Although this particular art-form is called "painting," the color
is not a layer of pigment on the fabric which may be worn off.
The color comes from dyes which bond with the silk fibers, permanently
coloring them, with no residue on the surface of the fabric. I
use dyes from the Sennelier Company, which has a long-established
reputation for high quality dyes.
These pieces painted in the sense that I use brushes to control
the application and blending of dyes within areas defined by a
resist medium called gutta. I draw and paint each piece
freehand, sweeping across the silk with fluid motions. Each of
my designs is original and copyrighted. After the painting is complete,
the dyes are permanently set with steam and the gutta is
removed by dry cleaning. The silk scarves and blouses are washable
and the other garments can be bulk dry cleaned.
I create a variety of styles in my sewing clothing, classic, time-honored
designs to take advantage of the texture and drape of the fabric.
Scarves are painted so that a focal point of the design may be
seen while being worn. You can enjoy them also as wall hangings.
In 1997 I began to develop some sculptural silk pieces in collaboration
with my daughter,
Susan Ball.
Prices range from $40 to $70 for scarves, and $200 to $450 for
vests and jackets. I welcome custom orders as an opportunity
to blend my artistic vision with your dreams.
Education
My background includes training at the Art Institute of Chicago
and I have a Master of Arts in Art Education/Art Therapy from
the University of New Mexico.