playing around

I've been playing with some Lazertran silk transfer paper. I bought it with high hopes, only to have them dashed when I found out that copy places wouldn't let me put it in their copiers. And the only other thing it works on is color laser printers, which I don't have. I finally found one I could borrow, so I used up the pack and am now figuring out what I can do with the images.

There are five that I am really interested in. So I've been playing with the other two. I've found out enough that I don't think I will buy any more, but I do see how it could be used.

This first transfer is on heavy silk, crepe satin I think. The original picture was of sand that was being furrowed by the waves. It was almost monotonal, which explains why it doesn't work so well.


I quilted it heavily with varigated thread. The edge had gotten messed up because I hurried the transfer process, so I added some Jacquard silk paint and let it flow. The piece is ok, but it doesn't really shine.

The next picture was a close-up of an autumn leaf, which had been manipulated in Photoshop Elements. To this I have started hand couching some silk yarn made from silk scraps. I like the look, but it seems like there will just be overall texture and color, with no focal point.


But this idea shows promise as a technique for the 'good' transfers.

As a last trial, I transferred the image to silk organza. It's hard to tell, but it's a picture of a manatee in a clear pool of water. But the fabric is problematic--it tends to distort every time I handle it, you can feel the transfer on this (and not so much on the others). I'm drawn to the image, but can't figure out how to use it in a finished piece.


So I've learned a little, but I'm still a little scared of starting with the 'good' pieces--only one shot at getting it right. On the other hand, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Sometimes, maybe lots of times, art is about taking a leap of faith. It may be the only way to get to something new, something fresh.