In Art composition is the arrangement of visual elements according to set rules; it is an attempt to create order from chaos.

In a PowerPoint presentation we will look at examples in both the world of Art and Textiles to see how others have applied certain rules and how they have solved problems.

Exercises will be carried out using both paper and fabric; paper collages will be made, also samples with fabric using simple printing processes.

NOTE: Participants will be asked to prepare a theme beforehand on which to base their work during the lesson.

Participants learn to use the silk screen in a non-traditional, exciting, improvisational manner. Using everyday, easily accessible low relief texture materials, like lace, plastic packaging, leaves and grasses, techniques are explored to create a suite of silk screened mono prints on fabric using fabric paints and acrylic print paste.

The printed images have a lovely organic quality and lend themselves to interesting colour combinations which can add further interest to the textural quality of the printed works. These low relief mono prints are rich in colour, texture, organic impressions and pattern.

For those who love colour and experimental image creation this class is for you !

All levels welcome to this workshop.

Her written works have appeared in journals such as Literature and Aesthetics, Craft Arts International and Textile Fibre Forum . In 2007 she was invited to be the inaugural guest editor of the international e-zine HeArtCloth Quarterly.

Her ArtCloth has been exhibited internationally and nationally and is held in public and private collections in Australia, Canada, England, Hong Kong, Ireland, Sweden, Thailand and the USA.

Please see the following Art Quill Studio blog link for examples of printed works using the Low Relief Screen Printing technique and information: Low Relief Screen Printing (LRSP) - Published technique based Article in Embellish Magazine

http://www.artquill.blogspot.com/2011/06/low-relief-screen-printing-lrsp.html 

On the first day of this intensive workshop students will learn how to make quick organic (natural)  indigo vats and resists for white patterns on a blue background.

The preparation of organic indigo vats is easy:
Students will be taught how to start and how to keep and maintain their vat for a long time.
Different and simple recipes will be offered and explained. All kinds of natural fibers will be dyed in these vats, so students can play and experiment.
A very creative method to realize white patterns on a blue background will be presented.  First of all, we will prepare a special resist paste, by mixing together clay, gum and magnesium salt. This paste will be applied on a white fabric.
Dry your fabric and dye it in your indigo vat. Then, by rinsing the so treated piece with ordinary water from the tap, the resist is easily cleaned, and the white designs appear on a blue background

On the second day students learn how to use mordants for printing and make a sampler with various mordants within one piece of fabric in order to test any kind of dyestuff.

On the third and last day the following techniques and possibilities will be dealt with:
> Printing with blocks/ printing with silkscreen
> Polychromatic effects on cotton, using Indigo together with the mordant processes

This class is for advanced level - not for beginners.

ABOUT MICHEL
Michel Garcia comes to the vat with a fresh perspective. A background in botany and chemistry and an intense knowledge of (natural) colourants combined with his eagerness to share information is a guarantee for a successful workshop.

Spoken language: English

On the first day of this intensive workshop students will learn how to make quick organic (natural)  indigo vats and resists for white patterns on a blue background.

The preparation of organic indigo vats is easy:
Students will be taught how to start and how to keep and maintain their vat for a long time.
Different and simple recipes will be offered and explained. All kinds of natural fibers will be dyed in these vats, so students can play and experiment.
A very creative method to realize white patterns on a blue background will be presented.  First of all, we will prepare a special resist paste, by mixing together clay, gum and magnesium salt. This paste will be applied on a white fabric.
Dry your fabric and dye it in your indigo vat. Then, by rinsing the so treated piece with ordinary water from the tap, the resist is easily cleaned, and the white designs appear on a blue background

On the second day students learn how to use mordants for printing and make a sampler with various mordants within one piece of fabric in order to test any kind of dyestuff.

On the third and last day the following techniques and possibilities will be dealt with:
> Printing with blocks/ printing with silkscreen
> Polychromatic effects on cotton, using Indigo together with the mordant processes

This class is for advanced level - not for beginners.

ABOUT MICHEL
Michel Garcia comes to the vat with a fresh perspective. A background in botany and chemistry and an intense knowledge of (natural) colourants combined with his eagerness to share information is a guarantee for a successful workshop.

Spoken language: English