Susan Brooks
Creating art using fabrics and papers provides the opportunity to build layers giving a sense of protection, safety and security. I create my own fabrics through dyeing, botanical printing, resists and painting and then am able to add dimension and detail through the use of stitches. I have focused on the elements in plants to imprint the images of leaves and flowers to create another layer of delicate beauty and interest.
Differing techniques are used to express differing emotions. Deconstructed silk printing is used for a very organic look. The use of painting thicken dyes on plastic has been used for my women monoprints. The morphing of the dyes give a feel of surrealism.
Botanical dyeing, plant based dyes and prints, introduce the beauty of nature into my work. The love of the stitching, connecting threads, to hold the pieces together.The tactile feel and visual beauty of fabric has been a motivation to creativity.
As a child, I was fascinated by the possibility of transforming a flat piece of cloth into a uniquely crafted article of clothing. After a journey of making dolls, garments and quilts, I am now driven to experiment with new techniques in dyeing, painting and embellishing fabric. I enjoy sharing my passion with others by teaching these techniques and broadening my own exploration in fabric art. My aspiration is to tell a story, engage the viewer in a dialogue and challenge them to a deeper emotional experience.
