Book Reviews
The Art of Silk Painting - Christine Mariotti Publisher: Artist's Library Series Walter Foster Publishing Inc. Price: approx. £5.99 Sterling ISBN 0-929261-40-2	It is always nice to get new recruits to the Guild of Silk Painters, but when they announce their arrival on the Membership Secretary's doormat with a super new book, it's like arriving to a brass band fanfare. The Art of Silk Painting is small "size wise" (16.5 - 24 cms.) but it is brim full of interesting and enjoyable projects. Painters start with simple salt and alcohol projects, then progress via a series of fun and exciting challenges to the final project, an ambitious and lovely interior. Each project has that bit of extra sparkle and interest, perhaps a motif you might not be used to, pretty gold gutta motifs on an alcohol technique scarf, or the Koi carp motif taken from another of Christine's loves Chinese brush painting. None of the projects is overly complicated but more seasoned silk painters will find the colours and ideas a good base to inspire them to develop further ideas of their own. A novel idea is the project that begins the book, "Painting Your Own Colour Wheel". This is a simple effective way to build a beginner's confidence as you only a small piece of silk, and can attempt it more than once without wasting too much precious silk! Tessa Barnes, who brought this book to my attention, says Christine is hoping to visit and teach in the U.K. in 2002. In the meantime, for those who have enjoyed and been encouraged by Mandy Southan's must have Beginner's Guide to Silk Painting from Search Press, this is an ideal second volume. It is well produced and full of ideas for all of us, a little treat full of big ideas and at £5.99 (approx.) is a must for your bookshelf. Welcome to the Guild Christine!
Dyeing To Colour - Bailey Curtis Published by :- Bailey Curtis, Omega Dyes, 10 Corsend Road, Hartpury GL19 3BP (approx £14.99 Sterling) Spiralbound paperback IBSN 0-9541419-0-3	If, like me, you are confused by the number of fabric dyes on the market, then you might find this book useful. It is written by Bailey Curtis of the well established company Omega Dyes. Dyeing To Colour is best used as a handbook on how to use each of the many types of dye. There are no projects (but plenty of dyeing ideas) and plenty of information laid out in clear step-by-step format. A simple table sets out the best dye for each fabric, and you learn, amongst many other things, that silk takes both reactive and direct dyes well but has a real liking for acid dyes. Putting the right dye and the right fabric together is very important. Bailey Curtis uses All-in-One and Reactive Plus dyes in some of the recipes. These already have the salt/fixative mixed in e.g. Procion salt = Reactive Plus dye. But you don't have to use these if you don't have them, it just makes things easier and quicker for the beginner. Each type of dye is then covered in more detail. There are a multitude of recipes for Quick Dyeing and helpful short cuts for those of us unfamiliar with dyeing processes, so you can get in and have a go without spending time on something you might hate! Members might also be interested in the section on Transfer (Disperse) dyes. These transfer designs that have been drawn/painted on paper, onto fabric. Good for those wanting to add another dimension to their silk painting. A helpful list of UK suppliers is included, and a range of colour photographs complement the text. These are by a wide range of artists including Michelle Griffiths who does beautiful silk Shibori, and Bailey Curtis herself. Dyeing To Colour would be helpful to a silk painter wishing to widen their knowledge and dyeing skills beyond steam and iron fix paints to the vibrancy and fun of acid, Procion and other dyes. Finally a brief recommendation for those who indulge in surface embellishment and/or embroidery.
Embroidery Techniques from East and West. Munni Srivastava Publisher: Batsford (£17.99 Sterling) ISBN 0-7134-8709-7	Indian and European embroidery techniques blended to provide sumptuous inspiration. All worked using beautiful silk fabrics and written by someone who knows and loves silk. Looks lovely and is very approachable - highly recommended. Books available from :- Local bookshops (with the ISBN number), Amazon.co.uk. B T Batsford Publishers, Rainbow Silks or your favourite specialist supplier.