The goal of this 4-5 hour workshop is to acquaint participants with the basic tools and process of creating a silk art piece, in a cooperative and supportive environment. Participants will learn how to stretch silk in preparation for painting, use water-based resist, and to apply dyes. Beyond learning the fundamentals, participants will experience the beautiful, happy surprises yielded by the synergy of silk and dye.
Students will work on a large rectangular silk charmeuse scarf in class. The instructor will offer demonstrations and direction throughout the class while encouraging individual exploration of the media. Participants are encouraged to develop their own ideas and are free to explore abstract or realistic renderings. Imagery and stencils will be offered, but all are welcome to bring their own sources of inspiration.
Please note: The final step of silk painting is a lengthy steaming process that cannot be completed on the day of the class. Steaming sets the dye so that it can be washed without losing color. The instructor will steam the pieces after the class and deliver them to Fivesparks the weekend after the class, where pickup can be arranged.
WORKSHOP COST: $145 (includes ALL materials)
REGISTER BELOW
Johanna Tiemann graduated from Boston University School for the Arts in 1978. Alongside her pursuit of visual art, Johanna studied music and earned her Ph.D. in psychology. She sustained a private therapy practice in New York City for twenty years before leaving. Concurrently, she studied silk painting with Sissi Siska and Suzanne Punch, serving as studio assistant and student of the latter for four years. Wishing to engage more fully with visual arts, Johanna applied to the Western Avenue Lofts in Lowell, Massachusetts in 2020. Her paintings were juried and accepted. She has lived at the Lofts since January of 2021.
Silk painting has taught Johanna important lessons. It is an art form that is unpredictable, and it is rare that a piece evolves precisely the way it is intended. Contrary to her earliest instruction in art, she has learned that a piece of art can have a life of its own if you surrender control. She now practices acting as a mediator between silk and dye rather than as its master.
Johanna’s work can be viewed at: www.johannasdream.com
