Silk Painting | Claire Vassort

February 25 & 26, 2012

Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Lunch break of one hour, both days.

 
Back by popular demand! The use of silk has made history and supported strong traditions all over the world for centuries. Because it is a natural fiber resulting from the life cycle of the silkworm, silk is a powerful symbol of the connection between humans and nature. Strong, yet light and delicate, it reminds us that a balance of forces is necessary for survival and harmony.

Come experience the beauty of silk painting firsthand in a two-day workshop. You will learn the basic techniques of silk painting and create practice samples and one or two wearable scarves.  Claire will set the colors at her studio and return the silk art to you the following week.

Silk painting is a very dynamic and spontaneous technique that involves an interesting mix of planning and spontaneity. You will learn how to use the water-resist method as well as the beautiful mix of colors that takes place on silk to paint your own designs or designs provided during the class.

Materials and color setting included in price. All you have to bring is your creative self.

Level: All levels are welcome. Class limit is 12 students. Classes fill up quickly. Pre-registration required.

Silk painting supports very old traditions in Asia. It has also been popular in France and Hungary for the past couple hundreds of years. In the fifties the technique spread in Western Europe. The silk painting movement reached the U.S. in the seventies. Water-resist silk painting is initially easy and dynamic. The technique is in many ways similar to watercolor with planning and timing being of the essence.

The process is a commitment as changes to a piece after the initial work are difficult. This commitment requires planning, but also adjustments as the piece develops in a dynamic way. You will enjoy experimenting with color and design. The natural shine of silk brings out the contrast between warm and cold tones and adds to the display of colors.

Instructor Bio:

Claire Vassort was born in 1965 in Chateaudun, France. After her schooling in France, she decided to realize her traveling and hang gliding dreams for the next decade. Besides her main flying passion, she also always has had a strong interest in the arts. She is a self-taught artist who has been painting on silk since her teenage years. Claire moved to the U.S. at age 23. She carried all her painting gear with her so that she could keep practicing her art and capture her travels on silk. Her passion for flying hang gliders and travel took her all over the world from 1990 until 2006. Claire’s silk painting “Breath of Life” was recently selected to be reproduced on a Chattanooga bus shuttle. This is part of the Art in Motion Project sponsored by Public Art Chattanooga, Carta and the River City Company. Claire’s painting will be rolling downtown until June 2013.