Linda Silk Sviland

Silk is both my surname and my obsession. As a silk painter I use dyes in lieu of paint, and silk instead of canvas. The process is similar to painting with watercolors except that silk fabric is very absorbent and therefore, there is the additional challenge of controlling the flow of color. The slightest stray brush hair will transfer dye accidentally and there is no turning back if you make a mistake—no white-out or eraser. You must learn to accept the direction it takes you or throw it out and start over. Sometimes I frame my finished paintings, but usually I prefer to treat my paintings as “wearable art” and let the wearer wrap themselves in a luxurious fabric in glorious color.