Cicada Song

At my dye retreat in 2011 we experimented with some deconstructed silk screen 

prints. I have been looking for a way to use my prints. I started hand 

stitching around the colors with a single strand of embroidery floss.

Then I experimented with several direct transfer methods.

The most successful was a laser print – the kind with heated powder ink –

on high rag content letterhead paper. I transfered the print by applying Golden 

Soft Gel to the surface of the fabric. While the gel was still wet, I put the laser 

image face down on the fabric and rubbed to smooth out the air bubbles. 

After drying overnight, I wet the paper with water and when saturated, 

I rubbed the paper pulp from the print leaving the ink in the gel.

Here is a Website with video and instructions on 

“Direct Image Transfer” by Golden.

The cicada was a favorite of an old friend so I chose this vintage drawing.

I was inspired to try some freehand journaling by Deborah Boschert's 

blog here and here. Unlike Deborah, my writing is readable, 

at least to me. I wanted to explain my reason for the cicada.

"Cicada Song" 16 x 18"

I colored the cicada with Sharpie and added the organza 

leaf blades to pick up the red in the silk screen.

I'm still thinking about what to do next time.

I have lots more deconstructed silk screen prints.