Featured Artist : Susan Christensen

Over time, my art-making has gone through several changes in media, arriving at fiber like a homecoming. Moving into the realm of fiber arts, dyeing and surface design have become indispensable elements in my art-making process, and Dharma is my one-stop source for everything I need besides my sewing machine.

I use Dharma Procion MX dyes and low-water immersion techniques to create fiber wall hangings and wearable art. My favorite dye fabrics are Dharma's sand-washed cotton broadcloth and silk organza. For painting on silk, I add citric acid directly to the dye concentrates. I pre-soak cotton and rayon in soda ash prior to painting, monoprinting and stamping these fabrics with thickened procion dyes. I love Dharma’s catalog tips and directions for use of their products.

This month, I am teaching a dye painting workshop at the Southeast Alaska High School Fine Arts Festival, held this year in Wrangell, Alaska. I chose Dharma cotton print cloth for the students’ work, which will give good results for a budget price.