Paula Maxfield 
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Art on Silk The art of silk painting - my greatest delight is to experience the sheer abundance of colour one can obtain from it. Painting on Silk is a 'direct' method as it is not easy to remove dye or gutta once it is applied. I decide what I am going to do and how I'm going to do it before I put any gutta or colour onto the silk. In this way I can work confidently and purposefully to complete my task before the dye dries. I was working for myself as a designer dressmaker, specialising in silk wedding dresses, when I became enthralled with the beauty of silk. I am now a self taught 'Painter of Silk', painting scarves, ties, pictures, greetings cards, bookmarks, cushions, key rings, brooches, purses and handbags - visit my website to see more examples www.paulasartonsilk.co.uk Silk painting method - first stretch a piece of silk on a frame, so the workable [paintable] area is suspended in mid air - apply the gutta [outliner] of image - let it dry - paint, watching the dye spread on the silk, and manipulating the dye with a brush - let dry - fix, heat by ironing - wash the piece of silk - iron dry if possible – and finally make the finished painted silk into an item of art. The charm of silk lies in its unexpected behaviour and its inability to be controlled. Silk is one of the most luxurious materials known to mankind and its history stretches back into the mists of time. The finished fabric has a sheen and glow quite unlike that of any other fibre, and when completed with an original hand-painted design, the result has a magical and unique effect. Throughout history, silk is often described as ‘nature’s miracle fibre’, and is the most valued of the natural fibres, also known as the ‘queen of fibres’. The production and weaving of silk (sericulture) has been carried on for several thousand years. It began in China, where it was a closely guarded secret. Over the centuries eggs were smuggled out of China and centres of sericulture were established in Japan, India, The Middle East and Europe. The ancient technique of painting on silk came originally from China. It was rediscovered and developed in France early in the 1900’s and quickly became an established craft. Today silk painting is becoming increasingly popular as an art form, as its full potential is being realised. Contact Paula Maxfield Email: paula@artonsilk.co.uk
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