Silkworm Magazine, Volume 22, Issue No. 2, Spring 2015

We bring you the Brazilian sun with Cassia Maia and her hand painted silk fashions. Cassia not only designs clothing, she designs earrings, shoes, handbags and all manner of ladies’ accessories. We also hear from Brecia Kralovic-Logan, author of The Spiral of Creativity, speaks to us from her column on the Creative Journey about procrastination. Artist Pamela Glose brings her knowledge about choosing the best tools for painting silk. And Margaret Agner shares some of her secrets about how she creates beautiful wall hangings with lovely scalloped edges. All in the summer issue of the Silkworm.

 

Silkworm Cover - V22 No. 2

 

 

In This Issue

Cassia Maia

Cassia Maia, Turtle Wrap

Cassia Maia's Journey With Silk
by Cassia Maia

I grew up in the highlands of Brazil, in the state of Minas Gerais.  There are a lot of mountains, farms and mineral mines, which is why it is called "General Mines."


My mother was a teacher and a very talented seamstress in a small town called Itabira (Ita=stone, bira=shiny). The “shiny stone” refers to the city’s abundance of iron ore.  At a very young age I learned a variety of crafts, and my mom used to say "keep your art in everyone’s heart."


I did not know the meaning of this at the time.  I understand now what my mom wanted to tell me.  I always remember it especially when I am doing my paintings.


She is 82 today and is still participating and sewing a few garments for me for my fashion shows; she is an amazing woman!

(To read more, go to Vol. 22, Issue No. 2.)


Margaret Agner - Iris Joy

Iris Joy by Margaret Agner

Margaret Agner Writes About Her Many Years of Play with Dyes and Textiles
by Margaret Agner

When you’ve played in dye for nearly 40 years and there are still tons of surprises happening in the studio, doesn’t it tell you you’re in the right field and are using your gifts?  I love my work and the big raw basement studio rooms dedicated to producing it.

I enjoy a fairly steady production of silk scarves.  They go to galleries and eventually sell, so it encourages me to make more.  Making the big shaped silk hangings is closer to producing art. Composition matters more than with wearables. Designing them is the challenging part, and painting with dye is the fun part.  They are my specialty, and there’s a cool effect that comes from a shaped silk banner with no bottom hem and pole:  after installation, it moves in the slightest air current, making my butterflies fly, my gardens ripple, and my flowers wave.

(To read more, go to Vol. 22, Issue No. 2.)

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