Karen Sistek
I am still as infatuated with silk painting today, as the first time I touched my brush to silk more than 25 years ago. The luscious silk reflecting the vivid colors of the dyes in never ending, always changing ways has captured my heart and makes it sing!
There are so many variables to painting on silk. One touch of the brush can create so many possibilities. That’s why each project is an experiment…and through experiment I discovered my “Sistek Sizing Technique”. Treating the silk to prevent the dyes from spreading has allowed me to create fine art on silk, without using guttas, resists, or wax.
I love to focus on just about every type of flower…to “zoom in” to capture the stamen and the petals from a “bug’s eye view”, then paint them big! to capture your attention when you enter a room!
The finished silks are then mounted on to gessoed canvas (taught to me by Sandra Kay Johnson www.sandrakayjohnson.com). The silk seems to be “floating on the surface”.
I love sharing my technique, and what experiences I have gained through the years. I offer a series of three weekend classes and 4 or 5 day workshops in my studio next to my home.
My husband Rick and I are living my dream! Rick is not only my business manager, fine crafter of canvas’, but he cooks, runs errands, clips coupons, and does the dishes! I am allowed to devote full time to my students and painting.
Family and friends are a great support and I attribute much of my success to them.
