Thanks to some great internet information, I have begun to learn a new silk painting process. I saw some information about it in several different sources, which took me along a path revealing details about this intruiging method.
Artist and silk painting master Karen Sistek has developed the method of using a spray starch as an anti- fusant. Her work is amazing; such detail and control, paired with bold composition. Karen has unselfishly described her techniques and shares her knowledge freely. I found two other sources describing this technique and both give credit to her.
Francine Dufour Jones has disseminated Karen’s discussion of this technique on her wonderful website dedicated to sharing tips for silk painters. Francine’s wonderful site constantly educates and inspires me. To read Francine’s post, look under the Magic Sizing category.
Finally, artist Husna Rafath has created a You Tube Video demonstrating her method inspired by Sistek’s method. I really enjoyed this video- the music is beautiful, and I love the way Rafath put it together. She also includes her own twist on the method- that of mixing small amounts of dye directly into a small container with Magic Sizing. She says this idea came to her as a way of preserving the Magic Sizing and being thrifty with it… I think her innovation is very creative.
I became interested in this method as I learned about it from these sources. I have been doing my own experimenting, and will write about that soon. I am very grateful to these three artists and silk painters who have so generously shared their knowledge. .
And the paper itself is interesting.
Let's talk silk painting! 