Monday, February 8, 2010

Printing on Herringbone and Forcing Quince


While the east coast is buried in snow, the Pacific Northwest is running ahead of schedule as far as spring is concerned. So much so, that the quince in our yard bloomed simultaneously with prunings from the bush that I had brought inside a week ago. But the color of the inside blooms is significantly paler than those on the bush -- almost like apple blossoms (closer to the color in the second photo). Very lovely.

Oh, and by the way: mystery solved! The bush with the beautiful yellow--and very fragrant, I might add--blossoms is called "Edgeworthia." The name was supplied by Lesley, who lives in the UK and has the very interesting and fun blog, Printed Material , which I was delighted to discover via her comment on the mystery plant.



Well, Lotta (of wonderful Inleaf) who is a relief printer extraordinaire and a wonderful textile artist, requested photos of my weekend efforts on fabric. So here are a couple from my experiment on a warm grey and black herringbone weave. Between the design and the fabric, I think they feel quite contemporary.




15 comments:

Ana Gonzalez said...

I like these designs.

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Gloria,
Thanks for mentioning my blog. I am so glad the plant was the right one. I might look out for it myself now! Love the effect of your print on the herringbone fabric. This is an idea with a lot of scope isn't it? Thanks for sharing. Lesley

Michelle Brunner said...

I am so jealous that you actually have flowers blooming! Today we are getting hit with 6 inches of snow!

Your fabric prints are fantastic! I am obsessed with the combo of yellow and gray lately. These are very contemporary! What are you going to do with them?

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Hi Ana! Thanks so very much for your kind remark and your interest in my blog. I'm honored that you are taking the time to look. Your work is fabulous! Cheers....

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Hi Lesley. Yes, I think there's lots of potential in overprinting --whether it be on a destinctive weave or on a printed pattern. Especially when one begins thinking about using reclaimed fabric...Thanks for your comments. :)

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Hi Michelle. Thanks for your enthusiasm. I do have some ideas brewing for the use of the herringbone. Maybe I'll actually get something into my empty Etsy shop!!

Heather Kirtland said...

The herringbone is such a beautiful surface/background for the prints! Enjoy your beautiful blooms, I am so jealous. 2 feet of snow on the ground here, bracing for the possibility of 2 more. Starting to feel like "The Shining", :-)

betsy best-spadaro said...

hi gloria, i can see my family room chair reupholstered in your herringbone design. very nice! as for the edgeworthia...i have some printing paper of that name in my flat file. i wonder if the paper is actually made from the edgeworthia plant?

layers said...

I do like your herringbone designs here very much-- they have an Asian aesthetic which would call to me.

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Hi Betsy. Yes, a common name for the plant, which is of Chinese origin is "Paper Bush" and paper is made by soaking the stems, stripping the bark, and then mashing or pulverizing it. I also read the bush drops its leaves in December to reveal its silvery petal/pods. So how's the paper? I read that it's creamy white.

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Hi Donna. Glad you like them. Thank you for your interest in my work. I am truly honored. I just took a tour of your website and also linked to numerous blogs, etc. via your lovely blog. Really appreciate the informative nature of your writings and I, too, love many aspects of the Asian aesthetic.

lotta said...

Gloria, I love your prints - especially in combination with the herringbone fabric. What a great, unusual choice. The muted colors also add to the modern, sophisticated feel. Beautiful!

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Hi Lotta. Thanks for your kind input. I value it very much! Hope folks have been able to get to your shows in spite of the weather.

molly said...

they look fantastic on that herringbone! good for you, go for it! make everything you think of!

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Mollyl -- thanks for your encouragement! It's definitely intriguing!