The Most Fun I Have EVER Had With Polyester...

Y'all probably know (or can figure it out) that I think the most fun thing in the world is to fling dye or paint onto cloth, but the dyes I have always used only work on cellulose or animal fibers. Since I don't wear polyester (it gives me a rash), and the dyes used to color it are, for the most part industrial type dyes, not something you would play with in your kitchen, I had not experimented with polyester...no little polys or esthers got to color at my house. But last semester I got the chance to experiment with Disperse Dyes for synthetic fabrics. Here's a look at one of my projects:

Disperse dye painted onto plain white paper -- this original was used to create prints using a heat press.

Print on polyester fabric (2nd strike off original)

Print on Pylon interfacing (1st strike off original)

Give Pizza a Chance

This was a special order...I tie-dyed the shirt after the logos had been silk-screened on...the front is pretty cool...

But the back is really bitchin'!

This tee had been worn for some time, and got a whole new lease on life (and we covered up all those tomato paste stains). I'm hoping the owners take notice of this employee's good taste, and have me do all the employee uniform shirts!

Gregg's Coat of Many Colors

Gregg's Coat of Many Colors, Almost Spring, 2009

Friend Virginia and I created Gregg's coat (a more-or-less white poly/cotton lab model) with monoprints & a tie-dye-like resist process using rubber bands and direct application of Dyna-Flow paints. We expect Gregg will add his own colors to the mix in the future, as he is a potter. Modeled for your viewing pleasure by the ever-lovely Virginia Hanley!

Details:

Coming Soon!

There are posts coming, I promise. Homework and taxes (ugh) have been sucking up all my time and energy this week, but I have some good ideas for posts, I just need to find a little time...please be patient, I'm getting there, just very, very slowly...In the meantime, here is something pretty to look at...this started out as a plain white cotton dishtowel:

Processes: deconstructed screen print background, with hot-wax batik overlay (stained glass design), navy blue crackle and overdye for image outlines/borders. Butterflies screened on using Lumiere textile paints. This is photographed with backlighting (through French door)..nice dish towel, eh?

OK, here, by special request, is the upside down version of the batik:

What do you think, better this way?

Feldenkraiss Class

So, those of you who know me will be amazed to hear that I am taking an exercise class at the college. Yes, exercise. But it is the most gentle and laid-back of exercises I have ever experienced, performed in a darkened room, lying on your back for the most part, and all designed to enhance one's awareness of body posture and movement, through gentle adjustment of position and awareness of breathing. Mike and I are both going to do it -- the scar tissue and rearrangement (and removal) of muscles, bones and organs from our various surgeries have left us less than wonderfully well, so we know this effort to enhance and use what balance and strength we have left will be beneficial.

The Feldenkraiss method was developed as a way to rehabilitate and strengthen the body...and I hope that its practice will bring Mike and me the benefit of easier movement with lots less pain...which will mean more peace in my life. Yeah, I managed to bring the subject back to peace! We all need more, and deserve more, peace in our lives. Lying in class, "listening" to my body as I moved it, controlling my breathing and quieting my thoughts, brought me closer to that goal. It can't be a bad thing to make time in your life to lie down, breathe deep and be glad you is -- and I'm glad YOU is, too.

Check out my slideshow!

Slideshow! At the bottom of this blog, you will find pics of silk scarves that I created last semester...the pics don't do them justice, but since I am NOT a photographer, they will have to do! I will be showing off various art projects in that space, as the new semester gets underway...and once terijane.com gets up and running, you can visit there and see everything I am up to (at least, in the artistic sense).

I'm really excited about starting the Spring semester at Mendocino Community College...classes in art & craft marketing, the history of textile arts, fabric printing and dyeing and the Feldenkraiss Method promise to keep me busy. 'Cause we all need more stuff to do, right? That's why I also started a blog, 'cause my day just wasn't busy enough -- or I needed another reason to put off housework and chores. Those of you who know me (or have seen my house), know the real motive here, hehe... .

Off to do some of those aforementioned chores, have a lovely day!

SweetPeace

Why SweetPeace? Well, one of my monikers is SweetPea...and since I came of age in the 60s, when love and peace seemed attainable goals, flashing the peace sign has been my thing for over 40 years (no, Paris and Lindsey didn't invent it!), as every picture of me taken since 1967 will prove. The merger of SweetPea and Peace was a happy accident, a juxtaposition of words that created not only a nickname but a description of the hope and good vibes I would like to express in this world...thank you Lisa/Daisy, my sister-friend, for knowing my name.

Peace is going to be something I talk about here...my personal search for it, and the need for it in our world and daily lives. This day, the day before our new president is sworn in, is Martin Luther King Day, and has been set aside for reflection on that wise man's words and deeds...I hope our world, and our view of it and our fellow travelers, reflects more peace in the coming days. I have hope, for the first time in a long time, that this may come true.

Ghandi once said "we have to be the change we want to see in the world." That's a worthy goal, one I think we should all pursue...and it can start here, today, right now, with a change of heart, or attitude, or underwear, whatever! But here's hoping that we can all get more peace in our lives and our world, and along the way I hope you enjoy getting a piece of my mind in 2009...Glad You Is!

Can an old hippie learn new tricks?

Welcome to the cluttered (and possibly addled) brain of TeriJane...where I will post my musings for all to see. Since I already talk to myself, this should be a snap! Hang out and see if I can master the art of being myself online...this should be FUN...