In the fall of 2011 I debuted a new class at CreativFestival – Fabric Painting with Colour Vie! In this class I taught students to create abstract texturized fabrics Colour Vie pigments and transfer images to fabric using a cut paper pattern technique.

The image below shows a sample of the techniques demonstrated in the classroom. From left to right in the sample photo, students created the following;

• a 3 dimensional architectural element in black and white on a marbled fabric
• a bold floral motif on a pre-printed muted floral fabric
• a 3 dimensional diamond tufting pattern on an bold abstract fabric

Not shown in the sample image is the free-form marble swatch that I had the students do to start the class. The marble swatch allowed the students to try Colour Vie and discover how it handles as a painting medium. In the marble swatch students sponged, drybrushed, stippled and drew to their heart’s delight. Students were to use the freehand marble swatch as a base for their 3 dimensional architectural element, though most opted to save their experimental swatches and use another pre-printed marble swatch for the architectural element.

In the gallery above are a few shots from the classroom, the students and their projects. I had 13 students in the class which was ideal for a first run. Each student brought a different skill set and energy to the class which was perfect. Some students were more comfortable with abstraction, others were more controlled and painterly. This variety amongst the students helped them learn from each other by seeing what the products could do when handled differently. Everyone regardless of experience or technique was able to produce something beautiful and unique.