Untitled Document

Once a scarf is painted and dyed, my assistant Amalia wraps it in paper and foil, and then steams it in a huge lobster pot for about three hours. Steaming them like that means that the scarves are colorfast. They can be safely washed by hand in cool water with mild soap.

Many of my scarves are based on themes. At my art studio, we spend months at a time writing poetry and painting watercolor paintings on themes. I often use these same themes in the scarves I paint. I like to inlcude a poem with a scarf that someone buys. Here are some examples of the themes I’ve worked with:

“Freedom Flight” is my butterfly collection. Freedom is a theme very dear to my heart and I love butterflies!

“Night Wind” scarves are mysterious and have deeper colors.

“Fish in the Pond” scarves explore the wonder of a different world.

“Star Festival” theme is about lovers who are separated and can only see each other once a year. It is about everlasting love

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“Red” is my favorite color. To me it is like love.
My “Seasons” collection celebrates the seasons of the year, from spring flowers and summer’s bold colors, to fallen leaves and silver snow.

#1. I begin with a pure white piece of hemmed fabric. I attach the fabric to a frame like this. Most of my scarves are 100%silk. The velvet scarves are silk and rayon.			#2 and 3 go together. A new technique I’m trying is using a long handle brush for bold strokes and background. I also work on a table, especially for close-up work.

			#4. This is rock salt on top of wet paint. The salt condenses the color and creates an intense spots and shadings. To disperse color and give a faded out effect, I sprinkle alcohol on the wet paint.

# 5 & 6. Here’s a detail showing a rock-salt effect on a scarf.

			Sometimes after I have the background I want, I like to apply a stamp design. Here's a stamp I really like.