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With painting I am able to express my inner joy and beauty. I feel I am an artist of spirituality and caring and these are qualities I express through my work, which I so lovingly enjoy." - Diane Stawicki
Diane Stawicki has evolved from theatrical art to the joy of painting. Having studied, performed, taught, and traveled throughout the world as a dancer, she continues to produce and choreograph a senior group called the Golden Follies in the San Francisco bay area.
has become a second love. She enjoys designing and dying silk, and also works in oil, watercolor, and clay. Through painting she can express herself in a different way and is so happy to share her inner feelings with others to enjoy.
The history and a little background on Silk:
Silk began in China around 264BC.
"Cloth of Kings" is known as the first material of silk.
Silk dyes were developed in the 19th century.
Gutta Serti is the drawing medium used in painting and it is used to draw designs, as well as, keeping the colors separated.
These are the steps that I follow.
1. Plan out my design (Drawing on separate paper)
2. Prepare silk by washing, stretching onto a frame to hold taut.
3. Deciding the color palette
4. Transfer the drawing onto silk with a fabric pen.
5. Apply the Gutta. There are several types available. The paintings I'm showing here used gold metallic.
6. Apply dyes with a paintbrush. Different effects can be made by overpainting using salt, alcohol or other materials.
7. Fixing is the next step, which prevents the dyes from running. Fixing the dyes can use steam, ironing, and liquid fixing depending on the type of dyes used.
8. The piece is then ready to mount.
Artist Biography
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