Featured Artist : Irina DorofeevaFine Art Silk

Irina Dorofeeva is a silk artist living in South Bend, IN. She creates unique collections of silk paintings and silk scarves hand painted with different themes and motives. The particular technique she uses is called “the SERTI technique.” SERTI (French for "fence" or "enclosing") is the silk painting technique where designs are formed with gutta or resist liner. Irina studied this process in Russia, the country that is known for cultivating the SERTI technique and introducing it to Western Europe. Indeed this technique, so popular nowadays in France, came to Paris through members of the Russian Czar's family. During the Bolshevik Revolution, members of the Czar's family dispersed throughout Europe. Many fled to Paris, bringing with them the secrets of the SERTI silk painting.

When Irina learned the art of the SERTI technique, it quickly became her passion. She dedicated herself to developing master-level skills in applying this method of silk painting. In 2006 Irina moved to the US and entered the University of Notre Dame as a graduate student. Apart from her major studies, she was taking classes in the art department and continued to improve her skills as an artist.  At the same time she passionately worked on silk paintings and some day she realized that she had to start exhibiting her silk works. Right now she is participating in exhibitions and shows around the country, working with galleries on consignment, and publishing her works in art related journals.

Irina uses such silk painting products as Jacquard, Pebeo and Tinfix silk dyes, Pebeo silk paints, solvent based resists, and Pebeo water based gutta (especially metallic guttas are her favorites). As for silk fabric, Irina likes to experiment with different kinds of silk fabric, but she always tries to stay with lighter options to make sure that the silk is suitable for the SERTI technique.

Irina Dorofeeva