Learned Something New...!

I signed up at the last minute and took a Silk Screen Class at the Needle Shop in Bucktown on Sunday. I scrambled to find some images and something to print on. The class was only 4 hours so I really only had time to make my screens and about 3 prints. I did purchased some ink and a squeegee so I can practice at home. The most difficult thing to me about this process (so far) is working in the dark to get the image on the screen (can you tell I've never taken a photography class?)...the small amount of light you do get is red. Our teacher, Tiffany Paige said that Chicago Silk Screen is a great resource for all supplies and they even burn screens from your files if need be.

These are the screens I made and the one below the shirt I printed on. I'd like to try incorporating silk screen into my painting process so I can apply to shows in the mixed media category...a lot fewer people apply in mixed media than painting. Tomorrow I'll tell you about the first of many upcoming trips I'll be taking over the next few months.

Comments

[katekorroch]

Anne! Congrats on the silk screening! I am so excited that you did it! Are doing it!!

[andi butler]

oh i'd so love to learn how to do this! your tee looks great!! how fun was that?!

a : )

[michelle]

I've always wanted to learn how to silkscreen! I've had one of the DIY kits in my studio for over a year now. I'd much rather take a class or workshop. Good for you. I would think your art would transfer over fabulously! Love the shirt, can't wait to see more of this :)

[Natasha Wescoat]

ohhh! screenprinting! I'm just learning to do that too. We have to move into a bigger house in order to have room to do it though. That's really awesome! It's fun how you can just ...ZIPPPP! and the image can go on EVERYTHING. fun fun! I didn't know they can actually burn files of the screens. Can those then be reapplied to make a new screen later? Cause I know eventually you have to redo the screens or something like that?

[Anne Leuck Feldhaus]

Thanks for all your encouragement! Michelle, I still have a screen printing kit that I got for Christmas probably 5 years ago, I'll have to open it up now! I know I have a LOT of practicing to do since we literally only screened for the last 5 minutes of a 4 hour class. The teacher said there are MANY ways of creating your image, one gal just cut out a paper stencil and used it on her screen, that way you can reuse the screen. Natasha, there is something you can put on the screen to take the coating off and re-burn the image. As I said, it was a quick little class.. I would guess it would be smart to take an extended course but with little extra time on my hands I will have to rely on some on-line tutorials..I'll post the ones mentioned in the class later. Have a great evening!

[KathyFrey]

Anne, good for you for trying something new! It will make you look at your own art in a new way. Dan (my hubby) has been taking silk screening classes at LillStreet Studio (in Chicago, http://www.lillstreet.com) for about a year now... he's exploring it as an art form. They are a great resource for longer-term classes that have open studio time built into the cost. Just wanted to share that info!