About Martha As a self taught artist and a tactile person I have always loved working with textiles. I was exposed to silk painting during an art therapy class for breast cancer survivors. I was immediately entranced by the luxuriousness of the silk fibers and the luminosity of the dyes. My passion is to paint the human figure in all its beauty and imperfections on silk. During my battle with cancer I came to love and appreciate the human form when it is faultless and when it is flawed. I hope to express through my art that there is beauty in imperfection.

About Silk Painting

The medium of silk painting takes many forms. In my work I incorporate various techniques and styles to express my art. My canvas is always 100% silk but can vary from a heavy charmeuse to a thin organza. I use translucent silk dyes which flow freely on the silk. The spreading of the dye is just like wine spilling on fine linen. To control the dye different types of resist are used such as wax, or a rubber based product called gutta. The dyes are then steam-set which makes them lightfast and permanent. The silk can then be stretched and framed as you would a canvas or incorporated into wearable art.