Judy Kushner
Georgetown, KY
Member of:Kentucky Craft Marketing Program
Kentucky Museum of Arts and Craft
Lexington Art League
Sheltowee Artisans
Education:
Studied with and assisted Arturo Sandoval in his Silk Painting course at University of Kentucky
Fabric Art with Pizzazz at Lexington Art League with Mary Nehring
Over the past ten years, I have developed my technique in silk painting. My figurative and abstract paintings are sewn into wearable art.
I begin with a pencil drawing appropriate for the loose, flowing fabric. The pencil drawing becomes a template I trace onto the silk using resist. Besides defining the image, the resist will serve as a dam to keep the fabric dye with which I paint from flowing outside of the outlines.
Fabric dye pigments are combined to create colors appropriate for each design. I paint the most detailed portion of my design first. Then, the fabric is stretched onto a frame to paint larger areas.
Once the silk is painted, the dye is set to make it colorfast and washable by immersing it into a chemical solution or steam setting it. Then, to finish the process, the silk is washed using a mild detergent, blotted to remove excess moisture, and ironed on the reverse side. Once colorfast, the fabric is sewn into neckties and women’s wearable art.
My love of the Bluegrass State and it’s splendor is depicted in my work. Favorite themes are festive thoroughbred racing scenes and serene wildflowers and nature. I also create seasonal designs and colorful abstracts.
Numerous corporate commissions include neckties and scarves for Kentucky Derby winners Funny Cide and Smarty Jones. The State of Kentucky honored me with a commission to design an ornament that adorned the White House Christmas tree.
