Featured Artist : Rollin Kocsiswww.manpainter.com

I first learned of silk painting at an art teacher's workshop many years ago. I have done silk painting and tie-dye off and on now for about 15 years. I've taken a new interest in it, and now make it part of my regular studio work.

I'm a professional painter and my "serious art" is acrylic on canvas. Now I work on silk scarves, cotton t-shirts, and other items in between paintings. I find that dye painting and tie-dye are very freeing, and I see how the dye work improves my work on canvas. I have learned to loosen up as an artist from the wonderful flow of color dye on cloth.

Some of my work has been in juried shows, and one year me and a teacher partner (Vickie Puff) won best in show at the Memphis Brooks Museum of art Art Educator's Show. I dyed silk and Vickie made the quilt out of 100% silk fabric. (I've included a small picture of the beginnings of the quilt).

Now I sell my t-shirts and silk items at a little shop called the Painted Planet in Memphis, TN.

I use the Procion fiber-reactive dyes on silk and cotton. I use citric acid crystals when I dye silk, and soda ash when I work with cotton. I make my own chemical water with urea, and use the powdered print paste to help keep the dyes from spreading too much. Sometimes I use resists, such as wax for batik, but I really like Presist. I've purchased all sorts of squeeze bottles and containers to mix the dyes. I've found out that it's much easier to mix my dyes in throw-away plastic cups; that way, I don't have to wash out the cups. Dust masks and rubber gloves are important, and Dharma has what you need.

I love the wide range of clothing blanks that Dharma sells. I've done sarongs, silk jackets, ties, scarves (in EVERY type of silk), t-shirts, purses, shawls, and men's shirts.

My approach to dye painting is that of a painter. For me, it has to be loose and free. I want my dye experiences to be nothing but joy and ease.