Ofra Svorai Studio

Ofra Svorai Studio
R.R. #1, Kimberley, Ontario, Canada N0C 1G0
519-599-1115, info@ofrasvorai.com

Silk gallery - One, Two, Three, Four, Five

My introduction to silk painting was around 1977 while in art college. After graduation, I knew that art was to be my way of life, but was still seeking my artistic direction. Working at my kitchen table, I made my first creations of painted silk and began to develop my way of mounting and framing my own art. It was of great encouragement for me to continue my exploration and pursuit of this medium when I found warm public response and acceptance of my silk paintings.

My experimentation and experience progressed over the years in this medium. Technically, painting on silks starts with a blank white silk surface. Using alcohol based dyes and cold resists, I worked in stages while creating images. Without use of pencils, compositions begin as freehand workings of the media elements. A light wash of colour is applied onto the stretched silk, typically using between thirty to forty colours. When the silk has dried, resist is applied. With this process repeated, I develop a painting building darker colours and greater details with the resist, applied using a tiny paper cone with a pin hole opening. When completed, the painting is steamed to fix the dyes permanently into silk. Finally, the resist is removed and the painting is stretched then framed. My objective and challenge is to present a three-dimensional subject on a two-dimensional surface. The technique and process is complex and the images represent colourful interpretations of my love for nature. -- Ofra