Artist is 'dyeing' to share her passion

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29:  An array of fabric dyeing methods come together in a vibrant exhibition in the Arts Centre at Dockyard as part of a new show titled Pillow Talk.

The walls are awash with the eye-catching work of artist Kathryn Garcia who shares her passion for
creative fabric work.

She talked about her inspiration and some of the work on display.

Describe your typical day?

I usually have quilting/sewing projects on the go. Recently I learned (via the Internet) how to do Batik. Now this is exciting stuff. I put a wax pot on and the aroma goes throughout the house and it smells just like a spa.

Time just disappears.

On sunny days I’ll do silk dyeing and hang them out to dry. Or sun printing.

I try to work on one project or the other every single day. My days are always full and never boring.

What is the theme for this show?

I would say it is to showcase my passions for fabric dyeing and now to include Batiking. The wall hanging Whales’ Tails is only my second piece of Batik.

The inspiration for this piece comes from all the times out deep-sea fishing and seeing dolphins and humpback whales. (It is an adaptation of a quilting pattern by Shania Sunga Designes.)

What methods do you use?

This summer I did three online classes on Shibori Dyeing. One of the ways is Arashi Dyeing.

This is when the silk is wrapped around a pole or scrunched together. I’ve even used dryer duct tubing to wrap my silk. Nui Dyeing which is another of my favourite methods. This involves stitching the silk into patterns then dyeing. One little brown/yellow purse is sewn out of a piece of my Nui dyed fabric.

The very brightly coloured red, orange and green silk scarf, is Nui dyed.

There are many recognized patterns with names to match the process. 

How have you learned your methods?

Online classes at the Quilt University and YouTube are invaluable. I learned how to do Altered T-Shirts via YouTube.  My  larger Colourful Fish wall hanging is woven fabric which I learned from a book.

Books, magazines, the Creative Craft Show in Toronto offer all sorts of classes for five days. I’m going again this year. The most fun was a Quilting Cruise to Alaska with ladies from the Bermuda Quilters’ Guild. All sea days we had classes. I learned so much and had an absolute blast.

 I’ve a lot to look forward to and learn. For the browny/blue silk scarf I used blocks of cut offs of wood. What is amazing to me is that when it was dyed, dried, washed and ironed, it looks like the rings in wood.

What is your ambition?

A dream of mine is to continue to learn something every day. To make useful items that please customers enough that they will put money down. My dream is to travel to far away places, like Italy, and partake in creative classes. One of my most inspirational teachers, Ineke Berlin, is holding classes there next year.

Another dream is a month long creative retreat with friends to Lake Louise in the winter so that I’m surrounded by mountains and snow! Also to inspire others and to always to be amazed at the art of
creating.

• The show runs until September 20. The Arts Centre is open every day from 10am to  5pm.