Sissi Siska

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Orchids on blue ferns - 3 ft x 5 ft Dyes , wax & resists on silk

Pumpkin Season - 13" X13" Resists and dyes on silk

Remembering 9/11 - 12" X 16" Dyes on silk

Artist Statement

“I have been interested in fine fabrics and various means to embellish them since childhood. Hand painting with pigments; embroidery, crewel and appliqué have led me into batik; dyeing; screen printing and airbrushing fabrics. I use these techniques in my paintings as well as my wearable art. Schooled in illustration, painting and design, I had no formal training in the textile arts. I learned the traditional (and then, secretive) French technique of gutta-serti with steam-set dyes on silk, by trial and error.

In my most recent work, I combine my images with elaborate borders often taking on a Celtic theme, or multi-layered botanical elements. These shapes have often been applied in time-consuming steps, alternating resist treatments; painting in, and then resist removal several times consecutively.  This diminishes the standard “outline” effect typical to the serti resist technique and helps to bring the focal element forward.

Painting on silk is a challenging medium, similar to watercolor, which requires great skill to control the flow of the dyes. Mistakes cannot be corrected, only incorporated somehow into the piece.  This makes the technique exciting and sometimes frustrating at the same time. It makes for a very exhilarating experience when a ‘near perfect’ piece is achieved.”