I am a fiber artist and art educator working with dye on silk.
In 2006, I began to explore the diverse effects of silk painting and found a strong connection with the fluid movement and brilliant colors of the dye. When the brush touches the silk there is beauty in the mixture of two mediums, creating satisfaction in the understanding of such a meticulous process.
Using a medium-weight 100% Habotai silk, steam-fixed French silk dyes, I layer color to create form and texture, counting missteps as design elements that are sometimes more beautiful and interesting than the original concept. In this manner, the viewer can connect to the artwork, sharing in the pleasure of discovering the beauty in the world around. I am fueled by nature, the breadth of colors, textures, and organic shapes and forms.
Guided by a passion for design and inspired by nature's diversity, my works fuse abstraction and reality, exploring the interplay of movement and color. I utilize both stop-flow and free-flow silk painting techniques. Free-flow allows seamless dye integration through fibers, while stop-flow ensures precise strikes. Painting with dyes on silk becomes a controlled dance, yielding variable compositions.
In 2020, I was awarded Master Silk Painter (MSP) by Silk Painters International (SPIN), an organization of silk artists, educators, and practitioners. A Master Silk Painter is considered an outstanding silk artist in their skills, creativity and expertise in usage of silk and dyes, design and color. When chosen, by committee, MSP status is considered to be a lifelong award. This award is my highest recognition to date, and as such, I will continue to inspire, educate, and share my expertise with others.
If you would like to learn more about SPIN or join the organization, click the button below to find out more information.
To view Lauraβs Professional CV, click here.
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Learn with Laura
I offer range of online courses and in-person workshops in both silk painting and watercolor. Check out my latest digital course, Beyond the Line: The Silk Sizing Technique!