Virginia Louise Akin
DALI MAMA TEXTILE ARTIST
Artist's Statement
I begin each of my silk paintings with a piece of white silk stretched drum tight on a frame. I use the French steam set dyes and apply color with sea sponges, brushes and q-tips. All the many layers of color and imagery are preserved with beeswax resist. The wax is applied with electric pens called "tjantings", hogs bristle brushes and hot metal encaustic brushes. I also create my own wax pens by crimping, drilling and filing copper tubes and attaching them with wooden handles. These tools allow me to express with unique, clear and clean lines in wax that can't be duplicated with brushes. Sometimes I add more texture to my paintings by using dyes that I thicken with a sea weed extract and apply to the piece with sea sponges. After the painting is completed, the silk is set in a steam cooker for about five hours to develop the color. It is dry cleaned to remove wax, washed clean of fugitive dye, then cut and sewn into its final design.I personally create and design each piece in my collection without the help of assistants or contractors. My work is original and is an expression of my heart and hand.
As I create, I visualize rock walls covered in lichens and washed with minerals. I think of earth pigments used by ancient hands in sacred places. The movement of cloud, rain and shadow suggest pattern and texture. These atmospheres blend with mysterious alphabets and the lost imagery of peoples long forgotten. Each piece reflects my personal journey. One of my greatest joys is to share this flow and process. I take inspiration from the thoughtful commentary of those who love this art form and I look forward to creating in new ways.
