Does that look like dryer sheets to you? If not, you'd be incorrect. Because I've been washing them and ironing them (Strange, right? I won't iron clothes, but I'll iron for art. ☺️)
And just because I'm such a fan of the latter, I'll show you some closeups!
Painted dryer sheets make brilliant additions to just about any mixed media project because they have a filmy see-through quality that is unlike any other 'trash'.
And of course, that will give you a hint as to where these are likely to go. The Creston Valley Arts Council is planning a Trashion show for May, 2019. Artists are encouraged to create fashion from things that would otherwise go into the trash. Now given that I've already created some curtains from dryer sheets, you'd think I'd have had enough of them for a while. That is most certainly true, however, apparently my Muse thinks otherwise. She's been picking at me since I heard about the show, and while I have had my fingers stuck in my ears for days in an attempt to ignore the push, I've finally given in and started on it.
Given the labour-intensive aspect of this project, it may incarnate as a scarf rather than the over-ambitious dress I've in mind, but whatever happens, you know I'll be scarred with dozens more pin-pricks as my inept hand-sewing takes over. The process is challenging to say the least. Unpainted dryer sheets must be hand-tacked to the painted ones, tying them together in opposite directions as much as possible. Then they are over-embroidered and the tacking removed. Can I possibly make this all hold together as a dress? Time will tell, and in the meantime, how will all other other projects be completed?!
I encourage you to send 'no, NO, NO' energy to my Muse as she embarks on yet another totally crazy project. After all, I'd do the same for you should you need it.
Please let me know your current mania in your comments below - I'd certainly love to know I'm not alone in my insanity.
Amazing art, Win!!!!!!!!!! You are such a talented artist, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mia - lovely to see you here! xo
DeleteWin you absolutely made my morning when I saw that picture of multicolored dryer sheets. your curtains are among my very favorite backgrounds, so beautiful, I think it's the transparent quality.
ReplyDeleteI really hate to discourage your muse, you come up with such amazing results I look forward to seeing how it all turns out. As for myself I have been carefully considering going off on a genealogy rant. Over the last 40 years I have collected and written histories for 57 of my ancestors. My muse is after me to update them all and illustrate them with my artwork. Makes me tired just thinking about it but also inspired. Please let me hear a hardy no, No, NO from your general direction, and you and your muse have a great weekend.
I definitely agree about the transparency of the painted dryer sheets...somehow that just pulls me in, Deann.
DeleteGenealogy? You and John would get on like a house afire...he's nuts about that too! Sorry, I'm not going to dissuade your muse on this one either...I can hardly wait to see how you update and illustrate them. Will you post? I most certainly hope so. Go, Muse, go! :D Happy weekend, dear friend and happy history too!
Hi Win, loving the new art work. They would make a nice patchwork waistcoat. I cannot send no to your Muse as I think she is only just getting started Lol! Have a great crafty week, Angela xXx
ReplyDeleteDang - I'm getting no help here at all, Angela! I agree about the waistcoat - wouldn't that be a fabulous look?! God help me!!!!! Happy weekend, my friend! xo
DeleteI applaud your energy and imagination Win and I look forward to seeing what you come up with for the trashion show.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Val - keeping my fingers crossed that I can make something materialise (pun intended). :D
Delete"I won't iron clothes, but I'll iron for art." That's my motto too LOL. The last things I ironed were some tea bags and some tea stained paper - and I can't even remember the last time I ironed a shirt! I've never tried dryer sheets though - probably because I never use them but now I will! I bet they create some cool textures!
ReplyDeleteNice to know you're as nutty as am I, Zsuzsa. Grinning at the tea bags and stained paper - my last foray before the dryer sheets was paper as well! You'll love dryer sheets when you try them - they are great for texturing! Happy weekend, my far-flung friend!
DeleteYour muse is such a hard taskmistress! But look at the results she gets :) Angela's idea of a waistcoat sounds great - not too large an item and you can get away with just doing the front in patchwork.
ReplyDeleteMy next big project is some pop-up paper sculptures for Easter - one each for Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday times 4 congregations, so 12 pieces to make all together - so I'm poring over Paul Jackson's 'The Pop-up Book'
Your project sounds amazing, Tracy - I looked that book up and I'm suspecting that it's going to have you popping up everywhere! I'll be watching for photos on your blog, my friend!
DeleteI love your muse and will not send her a stop message -lol! Amazing - that are the kinds of projects that are uniqe and genius! I am looking forward to see with what you will come up in the end !Loved your curtains!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend !
Big hugs, Susi
Well, you're not help at all, Susi! :D Glad you enjoyed the curtains - may this project turn out at least as well...fingers crossed!!! Have a great weekend, lovely lady!
DeleteWednesday evening I had a nice stack of sheets for you-intending to deliver later Thursday. They seems to have vanished--Nobody will 'fess up as to what happened to them but since there are only 2 of us in the house, I have my suspicions....Unfortunately garbage pickup happens early Thursdays in our 'hood and I think all the proof (and sheets) went with it..:) :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Carol, I'm laughing uproariously. That's the same kind of thing that happens in this two-person household as well. I am sorry for the deeper aspect of the landfill, but you certainly gave me a good laugh this morning. xo
DeleteWin! How you make me laugh with your art antics! good on you sister! Looking forward to seeing how this dress turns out! And did you paint each of these sheets? or use them as mop-ups?
ReplyDeleteand how ever did you iron them with out having them stick to the iron?
Questions from an inquiring mind...
sending hugs and more energy to your Muse- go muse go! LOL
love to you,Jackie
I'm giggling, too - as much as I am often ready to tear out my hair with the craziness, it's a ton of fun to play in the studio, isn't it?
DeleteDryer sheets - I wash thoroughly (to remove as much of the chemicals as I can), and THEN iron them with a barely warm iron to avoid scorching the heck out of them. I keep a stack ready in the studio to use as paint mop-ups (check out the video linked to 'painted dryer sheets' above, and just below the 'moonscape'. If they get too roughed up in the painting process, they can be ironed again between a couple of sheets of paper, again on a slightly heated iron. And if that's not enough ironing for you, you can do it again once you've created your fabric masterpiece, in the same manner. Ha! Ha! Sending you many thanks for asking, and a ton of creative love this Valentine's week. xo
I came again and watched your beautiful video. Thank you so much, Win. Hugs, my friend.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the video, Mia - there are lots more on my channel, so feel free to peruse them all. :D
DeleteThese are amazing ! So much fun !
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Corrie - I can get lost in the beauty of these dryer sheets - randomly painted (mop-ups really), and filled with delicious texture!
DeleteHow cool! What an awesome way to use old dryer sheets! I have so many and always feel bad throwing them out. Now I will paint them, lol!
ReplyDeleteI love using dryer sheets, Sal - hope you enjoy painting them (and using them) as much as do I!
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