ART Unraveled Artist Retreat - A Match Made in Heaven

A Match Made in Heaven

The Marriage of Paper & Fabric in an Altered Book

Date: Friday, August 22, 2003; Sunday, August 24
Time: 9am - 4pm
Instructor: Lesley Riley
Cost: $100

Who can resist the visual and tactile appeal of fabric? Fabric is an integral part of our lives - why not make it an integral part of your art in an altered book? Covering your pages with fabric creates a background of rich texture and color for your art. Add a wash of paint or a collage of paper. Fragments of fabric develop layers of meaning and memory as you work to create an altered book that cries out to be touched, offering visual enchantment and a tactile delight.

Bring an old book - children's picture books are good because they have larger, yet fewer pages. You will learn: how to alter the cover (or not) to set the stage for the art inside; adhesives for fabric and paper; painting the fabric page; collaging on fabric; the buttoned page; transferring images to fabric; pockets; embellishment with ribbon, charms, silk flowers and more. Your fabric altered book will be a unique work of art that you will forever cherish.

Level: Prior Collage Experience

Supplies to bring to class:

A children's picture book around 4x5 to 8x10 or similar. Specifically you will want a book with good size pages, but not too many, anywhere from 8-10. Board books are best.
An assortment of fabrics, some pieces large enough to cover a page, others for embellishments or image backgrounds. I will also be selling a coordinated packet of fabric for those who do not have their own stash or feel fabric challenged. Please email me no later than one week before class if you plan to buy fabric from me. (Lrileyart@aol.com)
3 buttons 1/2" to 1", they don't have to match
Collage papers & paraphernalia, ephemera, charms, etc.
Images on paper. We can transfer B/W & color LASER* copies to fabric or you can use the paper images in your art. I will also show you how to transfer inkjet printed images to paper & fabric. If you want to make some copies of your own favorite images onto transparencies in preparation for this transfer method, I recommend using Apollo transparencies for inkjet printers, available online from OfficeMax. I will also provide 1 sheet of images and additional transparencies will be available for purchase.
*Laser B/W and color copies are the kind you get from a copy shop. Inkjet images are what you get on your home computer printer.
1/2 yd of white cotton muslin, canvas or duck (off-white is OK too but transferred images will not be as bright)
140 lb smooth water color paper, 1 or 2 approx 8X10" sheets for image transfers
Sobo Glue or Aleene's Easy Flow Tacky Glue
2- 1" foam brushes
Scissors
Golden Soft Gel Matte Medium or Matte Medium
Sewing needle and embroidery floss in a favorite colors or black (make sure the needle eye is large enough for the floss.
2 oz bottle of craft paint in white, ivory or similar and as an option, any other colors you usually like to work with
Rubber stamp alphabet & a few of your favorite stamps & stamp pads and/or an old book to cut text from for your story

Above all, bring your imagination and enthusiasm! You can work with a theme or story line in mind or just create a book of techniques. I look forward to sharing the day with you. Please email me if you have any questions or concerns. LRileyART@aol.com.