Thursday, April 24, 2014

Spring Tints

A beautiful Kentucky spring 72 degree day.  Doors and windows open. Dogs asleep.  (They give me joy on our hikes in the woods.)  Wind blows pole wrapped, shibori dyed silk on the line in the screened in back porch.   Waiting to be steamed and sewn into elegant wraps and capes. Their colors blend with the newly budding trees.  Larry takes his afternoon nap in the downstairs bedroom, sun streaming through the screen.  The empty hammock on the front porch sways. Two black cats sleep beneath.  Windchimes move slightlty.  Their glass shards colliding.  Soon I will  carry the silks to my studio in the loft.  Wrap them in newsprint, place them in an old canner on the stove, cover them with towels and steam set the pale spring colors of dye.  These tints are perfect for the subtle colors spring trees, rosebuds and dogwoods.  




Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Where Did These Colors Come From?



I hung this shibori dyed silk devore outside to determine if it was a summer color.  That's what I was striving for.  Wanting to tone the complimentary colors, turquoise and red orange, I added a little of their compliment to each color.  Maybe the end blend leans a little towards fall, however, I think they will work just fine all summer.


Living a layered life, I enjoy the colors surrounding my Kentucky cabin.  My art to wear becomes a form of memoir! Perfect for a Kentucky Derby party. Shibori dyed, pole wrapped 44x44" silk devore using the Vinyl Sulphon dyes.  Following color theory I used analagous colors of blue, turquoise and green.  Edges are finished using the Bernina rolled hem adapter.  Finally after 10,000 hours, I think I have it down!  Available at Etsy.http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaverneZabielski

Friday, April 11, 2014

Process spring and dripping art

The morning started with a watercolor sketch.  I'm working on developing a new strategy for coming up with colors of dye for my silk.  Lately there have bee lots of analogous colors.  Time to get more artsy.

It's always amazing what happens after I apply dye and the colors begin to drip.  A work of art all their own.  Today I photograph what almost looks an ocean coast topography.  Next time I might press a piece of water color paper on top.
This is the best time of the year for shibori dyeing.  It's nice to be outside and the colors are tender.  The fuchsia of the red buds, the greenest new grass and dog sleeping next to the picket fence creates the ambiance.  The charmeuse and devore silk on this shibori wrapped pole is dyed with two formulas.  One mixture of 1/2 c red orange and 1/4 t turquoise and another of 1/2 c turquoise and 1/4 t red orange.  There's something about adding a little compliment that takes the color to a new intensity.


This fuchsia and purple charmeuse gown finally made her way to Koi Gallery in The Galt House, Louisville, KY.  She's hot, simple and sensuous.  I think it's the perfect time of year for such self expression.

And if you can't get to her check out my etsy.