Up Close and Personal: Silk Painting Activities by Mary Erickson, Ph.D. with Arizona art teachers Pat Burdette and Suzanne Gregory

Phoenix artist Mary Shindell’s work is inspired by nature. “My fascination with Arizona lies in the contrast of detail and vast space,” she said.

Shindell took the photo below of a nest in a saguaro cactus. How do you think her Double Bird Nest sculpture was influenced by her observation of a real bird’s nest?

Here are more photos from the artist. (You may want to return to these photos when you see close-up images of Shindell’s artwork.)

These are close up images of Shindell’s work. Point to parts that you think were influenced by her close examination of saguaro cacti. Describe her lines. Where do you see gradual changes in value from light to dark?

You will be making a silk painting inspired by your own personal observations of nature. It should: 1.Incorporate diverse types of line. 2. Use a range of color values (light and dark). 3. Have a natural object as a focal point.

Two great ways to get inspiration from nature are to… 1. Go outdoors to explore what you can see. 2. Look very carefully, using a magnifying glass if available.

Look for changes in color values, like the gradual changes from light to dark in this dried mud. close up

Also look for interesting lines, that you can only see clearly if you look very closely. close up

You really can’t see the lines in the rock unless you are only a few inches from the rock. close up

If you could walk into the meadow in front of the trees in this snowy scene, you would find patterns of icy, dried grass and shadows in the snow. close up

Sketching from real life or from photographs helps you study how something looks. Choose an object from nature as the focal point for your painting. Make several sketches of the object.

You need these materials to make your silk painting. Paper and pencil 10-inch silk hoop Resist in applicator bottle Silk dye Mixing tray Water container

Trace a circle using your silk hoop. Start planning how you will organize lines and values within the circle. Also think about where you might create a focal point.

After selecting your best sketch from nature, place your silk hoop RIM SIDE DOWN, so you can see your drawing through the silk. Trace the lines of your focal point with your pencil.

Next, add background lines that are repeated and either contrast with or complement your focal point.

Next, you will use resist to keep lines white. This stops the dye from spreading and coloring the silk. Turn your hoop RIM SIDE DOWN, so the resist will not smear. Trace your lines with resist. Let the hoop dry overnight before dyeing.

Add color with a brush and silk dye.

Adding water will dilute silk dye to manipulate the value (lightness or darkness) of the color, just as it does with watercolor.

You also can use rubbing alcohol after the dye is applied to “push” the dye and change the value of a color. You may need to add a second application of dye to create darker values.

Point to two different types of lines in each painting. Where do you see value changes (light to dark) in each painting? Where is the focal point in each painting?

Middle school students from Tempe wrote about how nature inspired their work. “What inspired me was the pictures and the real artifacts Mrs. Gregory passed out. The leaves helped me draw and visualize the leaf on the silk circles.”

“I was inspired by my teacher. I got my inspiration from the Arizona scenery. I always take hikes on South Mountain and when we made the silk hoop I chose to draw a tall round cactus and squares as the background. My silk hoop is Arizona and I am happy with my work.”

“The sunset inspired me to draw that picture. The looks of fall inspired me to draw the leaf. I remember the sunset when I was young. The desert where I live inspired me to draw things in the silk hoop. The desert is a beautiful thing to draw. The teacher reminded me of that.”

Special thanks Gililland Middle School, Tempe, Ariz. Pat Burdette Suzanne Hobby-Gregory and her students