Friday, June 5, 2009

Playing around with paintstiks

I've wanted to try this technique ever since I saw it on Quilting Arts, a show hosted by Pokey Bolton that airs on my local PBS station. When I learned that Dana had Shiva Paintstiks, I was excited and ready to try this technique.

Before I discuss this technique, I want to add a few words. I'm not sure if my faithful readers can tell, but I'm not putting out a lot of "quality" art these days. I am in a slump. Some artists say their "muse" has left. I'm not sure I have a "muse." After all, I come from the science side of the university campus, and a "muse" is hard to quantify. However, I DO know when I'm in a slump.

Now don't be fooled. Every artist gets in one sometime in their life. If they say they don't, they are either not true artists who produce art on a daily basis, or they are putting on a good face for their patrons. So when I get in a slump, I do one of two things. I either organize or make backgrounds (or other pieces) to be used in later projects. Well, it's hard to organize when you have spent the last several months doing so and everything is in place and you know where it is. Therefore, I'm making "things" that I can use later or in various art projects. Having said all that, let me show you the technique I got so excited about.

I began by placing a strip of my hand-dyed fabric over a rubber stamp, then, after removing the "scum" from the top of the Paintstik, I ran it over the material.

Here is the stamp Dana left that I used for the technique.

Next, I tried using black. I didn't get good coverage with the black, but I didn't press as hard, since I felt I used a "heavy hand" when working with the brown paint.

My next experiment involved a texture plate and a sheet of hand-dyed material that I had already backed with Wonder-Under.

The texture plates didn't work well. This was possibly because they were not as deep as the rubber stamp, or possibly because the material had a backing. Since Paintstiks are very expensive, and I felt like I was wasting them, I stopped the experiment. I need to learn how to do this technique without wasting product before I proceed. However, it was a fun experiment, and like everything else I do, I learned a lot.

Now I must wait 24 hours, then, using a pressing cloth (actually my craft sheet), I will iron the Paintstik material to set it.

4 thoughtful remarks:

Mary S. Hunt said...

i know all about slumps...and i have been interested in these paint sticks too
i don't have any though

looking at the examples
i think you did well with the heavy hand
hope it finishes well for you!

Donna: said...

Elizabeth... you need to give yourself a break. The energizer bunny takes a recharge sometimes. :) Take some time for yourself.... Your 'MUSE' will come back.

Anonymous said...

I like how you take advantage of your slumps. They seem to produce some creative art and useful products for later.

Rachel

Christy said...

I love this product. I use it to highlight texture and edges and now maybe I should try material and stamps (thanks for showing this). I also use my finger and rub it on the paint stick, then on the item I am highlighting. They go a long way and give such a lovely subtle color. Especially the iridescent colors.