Tuesday 28 July 2009

silk scarves

I started experimenting with the dyeing and painting of silk a few years ago, after taking part in a women's craft workshop.

Rather than painting pictures or structured designs on to the silk, I choose to paint abstract patterns of colour. I mix my own colours, then brushpaint on to wet fabric, which I then either hot blow-dry to achieve an "air-brushed" look, or apply salt to draw out the colour and create a marbled effect.

The scarves are currently on sale at In The Pink, in my home town of Llanwrtyd Wells, and at the shop at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Carmarthenshire.

I take my inspiration from the colours I see around me in nature - light on water, fallen flower petals, sunshine through leaves...

The scarves come either 150cm x 45cm or 65cm square. They can be hand-washed in cool water. I am currently selling them for £15 each.

I am happy to sell direct to the public or to undertake "commissions".

As well as silk-painting, I am also a handweaver, and hope to start selling woven household textiles (cushion covers, table linen etc) in the near future.

Kate Jones