Prep work and more!

(Above:  Mixing Transperse Transfer printing dyes.)

Believe it or not, I went into the kitchen and MADE SOMETHING.  (Anyone who knows me is well aware that I steadfastly refuse to cook.  I do know how to cook ... but seriously, one does all that work and then just eats it?  I'm much better at praising Steve's culinary efforts ... regardless of what or how it is prepared!  When he's out of town, I have tuna, sushi style ... right on the paper wrapping ... and salad in a bag.  I can open the plastic salad bag perfectly, sprinkle some dressing inside, and fork it out without dirtying up any dishes too!)

 (Above:  Transperse transfer dyes waiting to be mixed with previous prepared Thickener F with Metaphos.  Click on any image in this post to enlarge.)

So ... what did I make?  ProChemical's Transperse transfer dyes!  The dyes can be mixed into three different thicknesses ... watercolor, hand painting, and screen printing.  I made the hand painting consistency.  These dyes are the very best way to transfer color onto synthetic fabrics.  The directions for preparing them is HERE. 

(Above:  Ten different shapes of Transperse Transfer hand paints dried on ordinary paper.)

Once the Thickener F with Metaphos is allowed to sit overnight, it can be mixed with the dyes dissolved in boiling water.  Once thoroughly mixed, the paints are ready and can be brushed on ordinary paper ... even plain typing paper.  Above is my color chart ... ten daubs of the mixed paint.  Once dry, I flipped the paper over onto a piece of white polyester and ironed for several seconds.


(Above:  The transfer of the color on white polyester.)

The colors are more vivid, brighter, and prettier than the dried paint on paper.  Please notice that the row is reversed.  Of course it is, that happens in all direct transfer methods!


(Above:  A roll of white Kraft paper covered with transperse transfer paint on the atrium floor at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios ... right outside my studio door.)

So ... why did I decide to mix up all this paint?  Well, on Monday I'm headed to The Studios of Key West in order to teach two one-day workshops.  The first is called "HOT".  It is my "normal" workshop.  I taught it there last year and I taught it two weekends ago at the Society for Contemporary Crafts in Pittsburgh.  It is a technique oriented day experimenting with heat activated processes for fiber arts.  Basically, I introduce polyester stretch velvets with WonderUnder (Bond-a-Web) ironed onto the back as a building block for stitch.  We also add heat-activated metallic foils, various fibers for embellishment, chiffon overlays and finally make marks into the pile with a soldering iron.  I frequently demonstrate how I melt out my "faux stained glass" pieces too ... pretty HOT!

The second workshop is called "HOTTER".  It will expand on the heat activated techniques by introducing transperse transfer paints and TAP (Transfer Artist Paper).  Unfortunately, I was out of the paint and out of all the paper onto which I'd painted it.  I had to get more, mix more, and paint more!


(Above:  A roll white Kraft paper with transperse transfer paint.)

Late on Sunday afternoon, no one else was in the studios at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios.  I went into the atrium, rolled out the Kraft paper and went to work.  Obviously, I'm no painter ... but, then again, this paint isn't the easiest to work with.  Luckily, it dries fast!  I cut all this up into sheets for my workshop.


(Above:  Detail of the painting with transperse transfer paints.)

I have plenty of other things to get ready for my trip to the Keys, but I'm on schedule and excited!

(Above:  Lancet Window XXIII in frame ... please ignore the glare!  I forgot to snap a shot before the glass was installed!)

As much fun as this paint has been, it is not the only thing on which I've been working.  I'm finishing up the new work needed to fill orders taken during the Buyers Market of American Craft wholesale tradeshow.  Above is Lancet Window XXIII.  Below is Window LV.  Please ignore the glare from the glass.  I forgot to snap photos before they were completely framed!  These are going with other, previously stitched pieces to Earthwood Gallery in Boulder, Colorado!

(Above:  Window LV in frame.  Click on image to enlarge.)

I have one more order to fill.  It requires me to make two more pieces beyond the two "Window Series" pieces below.  I'll be making them after I return from Florida!


(Above:  Window LVI.  Click on image to enlarge.)


(Above:  Window LVII.  Click on image to enlarge.)

And finally ... more wonderful news!
First, I got three pieces from my "Muses Series" accepted into Page Turner, a exhibition at Some Things Looming Gallery in Reading, PA.


Plus ... Mathias made a fabulous Aladdin in Birmingham Royal Ballet's production!  I'm so proud!  (I hope he posts photos from one of the shows in which he dances the role of the blue-painted genie!)

I am linking this blog post to Nina-Marie's "Off the Wall Fridays", an Internet site for sharing fiber artworks.