Dyes
Using natural hair bristle brushes, I apply Dupont French Dyes, acid dyes specifically made for protein fibers like silk. Dyes are translucent and are absorbed by the entire weave of the fabric. Dyes should not be confused with paints, which contain binders and extenders changing the texture and drape of the silk.

Wax and Resist
The beauty of a silk painting starts as dye touches silk. It spreads like grape juice on a table cloth. To control the spread of dyes, I use either a mixture of bees wax and paraffin wax or a resist called gutta, a solvent based resist that must be dry cleaned to remove

Permanence
My paintings are steamed for 3-4 hours to "fix” the dyes. This generates a chemical reaction from heat and moisture bonding dyes to silk. Once fixed, the dyes are permanent and can be washed, dry-cleaned, and are light resistant.

Silk
For my paintings, I use a heavy 19mm charmeuse silk. Charmeuse is a durable weave and the weight (mm means mumme, a japanese unit of measurement) of the silk absorbs more dye, adding to the richness of the painting.

Care of Silk
Silk is a luxurious fabric, beautifully delicate yet practical and durable. Using proper care, silk can be enjoyed for lifetimes. As with all artwork, do not hang in direct sunlight.