We are fortunate to have members of our group willing to share their skills with us. Karen Selk with her wealth of knowledge, lead us through an exploration of various hand stitches.
Elements of Design
We decided to challenge our group with a study of elements of design. Each month we randomly selected a primary, secondary or tertiary color from a 12 step color wheel. We then included one randomly selected design element: line, space, color/value shape or texture as well as one design principle: balance, contrast, focal point, gradation, harmony, movement, proportion, repetition or variety. Our study could be produced in any textile or technique, provided it was 2 dimensional and measured 8″ X 8″
Red – Texture -Focal point
Red/Orange – Repetition – Space
Orange – shape – Proportion
Yellow Orange – Value – Gradation
Yellow – Line – Proportion
Yellow/Green – Gradation – Value
Green – Texture – Contrast
Blue/Green – Space – Movement
Blue – Line – Balance
Blue/Violet – Line – Variety
Violet – Space – Variety
Red/Violet – Color/Value – Gradation
Fibres and Reflections
August 2019 Artspring, Salt Spring Island
Salt Spring Island, B.C. – The Island Textile Artists, a group of nine island women who have been experimenting with fabric and other materials since the group’s inception over ten year ago, will exhibit their latest work titled Loosely Connected in the lobby of ArtSpring on Salt Spring Island from July 28 to August 30.
Over 65 pieces of textile art will showcase innovative techniques in working with fabric and objects found in nature, including snow, rusted hardware and plant material. Snow dyeing is one of the techniques used and it involves piling snow or ice on top of fabric and sprinkling it with undiluted dye. As it melts, the colour works its way down and creates intricate patterns on the material.
Rust dyeing is another technique that had artists looking in their garden sheds and garages for rusted objects they could place on fabric that had been wetted with a solution of vinegar and water. Since rust is corrosive, the object was in contact with the fabric just long enough to transfer the image and colour.
Eucalyptus and other plant materials were rolled up tightly in damp fabric, tied in bundles and steamed for an hour or more in a process called eco dyeing. As well, artists experimented with indigo dyeing and watched with wonder as cloth dipped in vats turned from green to various shades of blue as it came in contact with air.
The title for the show came after the group was challenged to work simultaneously to create individual, yet collaborative, pieces that were then loosely connected with rusty washers to form a single artwork. The title also speaks to the women’s varied artistic backgrounds such as painting, drawing and traditional quilting, and how the group is connected through the inspiration they get from island living.
Loosely Connected
August 2017 – Artspring, Salt Spring Island
The inspiration for the title of the show came about at a retreat on Mt Washington where the group gathered to explore natural dyeing techniques and eco printing. One of the members presented the group with a challenge to create something with an indigo dyed square of cotton that she provided. The idea was to work spontaneously with rusted metal, then add embroidery and other embellishments to create an individual but connected piece.
My Washington Retreat
The beginning of our Journey
After seeing the results from an Irit Dulman workshop, we decided we wanted to experiment with printing leaves using natural dyes at our 5 day ITA retreat. After all, dyeing is best done when many can take advantage of the measuring, mixing and cooking. We included rusting and an indigo vat just to cover all the bases.
The Panel Project
The Panel Project was a year in the making. In the summer of 2014 we drafted out the landscape of the Fulford Harbour, then split this drawing into 9 sections. We spent a sunny summer day dying cotton and silk fibres so there was a consistent use of colour and value to the panels. Each month we met as a group to share the progress. Key elements such as trees, hills and the shoreline were checked to ensure each panel flowed seamlessly into the next.
Cellular Studies
We challenged the group to work in a series of cellular studies. With the subject matter loosely defined, the size, materials and direction was completely open to each person.
If Once you Have Slept on an Island
August 2015 Artspring, Salt Spring Island
Press release:
“During the month of August there will be an exciting new show by the Island Textile Artist’s group. These individuals are interested in exploring the many aspects of textiles, art and design to express their own diversity and to push their own limits of working with fabrics. Many members started with the sewing and quilting craft but have experimented with new techniques, products and processes that have moved art to a different level. Their new show titled “If Once You Have Slept on an Island” shows the great diversity of the group. There are many individual “pieces” and an inspiring group rendering of Fulford Harbour that shows how inspiration, passion for the medium and a fearless breaking of the rules can create truly wonderful art.
Island Textile Artists 