Alaska :: Nothing but FUN!

A new series, playing with free-motion machine sketching and inking with Derwent Inktense pencils.  "Washed" and sealed with Jacquard Colorless Extender.

2"x2" Magnets copyright 2017 Amy Mackinaw

Denali Prints

Though her official height shrunk by 10 feet recently (due to more accurate measuring technology), she is still "The High One" to me.  Denali 20,310'

Denali original silk screen prints on hand-dyed cotton, 8x8"
photo by Amy Mackinaw

Springtime Snow Dyeing

It seems the snow always melts before I get the chance to snow dye...but not this year!

Set up with plastic-lined frame, stretched with snow fence.
One piece of cotton pre-soaked with soda ash solution under the snow fence to catch the melted snow and dyes.
Two pieces of cotton scrunched on top of the snow fence.

Sprinkling a variety of blues with an old spice bottle: turquoise, cerulean blue, azure blue, grape.

Added a strip of extra snow to see what happens if more snow added on top--
how much more pastel will the colors get?

Close-up of melting snow and dye on fabric.  Stay tuned for results--

Marbling Collection

Here's a new palette of marbled cottons using Jacquard Marbling Colors, each created in a 16x24-inch baking pan salavaged along the road and possibly used previously to catch old car oil?  Hard to say, but after lots of scrubbing, it's turning into a valuable tool!  Can't wait to start working with these fabrics---

16"x24" marbled cotton pieces drying by the woodstove, Jacquard Marbling Colors
photo by Amy Mackinaw

close-up of marbled cotton, Jacquard Marbling Colors
photo by Amy Mackinaw

Marbling process with paints, whisk, large baking pan
 and methyl cellulose medium to support paints

Something New Under the Sun?

We are in the middle of our March sunshine with dozens of inches of snow on the ground.  It's mostly blue and white out there, but who can resist throwing in some color?  Not me!

"Taiga" Tablet Sleeve, hand-dyed cotton, organza, beads, 1/4" foam
10 1/2"x12 1/2" -- photo by Amy Mackinaw

Animal Spirits: Shoulder Pouches

Here's a new batch of colorful shoulder pouches with inner zip pocket, hand-dyed and commercial cottons, lined with pre-quilted cotton. Original designs are silk-screened, and embellished with free machine embroidered quilting and beads.

Caribou and Chickadee, 8"x10"
photo by Amy Mackinaw

Grizzly and Moose, 8"x10"
photo by Amy Mackinaw

Denali Sunset

Denali Sunset  12"x30", Hand-dyed and commercial cotton, organza, machine quilting, glass beads
photo by Amy Mackinaw

Caribou, Moose and Grizzlies, oh my!

...and a little chickadee, raven and salmon, too--

Hand-carved, block printed, quilted coasters  5"x5"

Chickadee shoulder pouch  9"x11"

Moose shoulder pouch  9"x11"

Winter Work

Work from a recent local show:

"Skis on Rack" and "Freestyle"
each 12"x24", hand-dyed cottons, organza
photo by Amy Mackinaw

Alaska Range from the Trail  9"x11"

Birches in Blue  8"x10"

Spring Birch  8"x10"

Birch Hill Sunset    12"x30"
all photos/artwork by Amy Mackinaw