News from Blue Ribbon Flies

About once a week I get an email from Craig Matthews and "The Gang at Blue Ribbon Flies" out in West Yellowstone, Montana.  It is a newsletter that I signed up to receive about a year ago. First off, before I go into any of my own horn-tooting, I need to say that this is one of the best written regulars I get to read -- that includes blogs, magazines, forums, etc.  The writers (John Juracek and Craig Matthews, plus some unnamed others, no doubt) do indeed know how to make sentences -- a true rarity these days.  And sentences that make sense, besides! You can get a sense of it from their blog.
The newsletter is more of a treat, if you ask me.  Not only will you be greatly entertained, but enlightened, engaged and, well, not insulted with bad grammar and syntax.  The photographs are always stunning, the news is newsy, the information is handy if not essential, and after a regular dose of this newsletter, you will begin to feel very much as though you are part of that wonderful West Montana scene all year round.  I would add some pictures here from the newsletter,  but I'm not sure if I can do that without permission and/or the right know-how technically.

Which brings me to the reason for writing this blog, my own moment to shamelessly self-promote.  On Friday I got an email from my midwest rep, Rich Stekete, who also gets the newsletter.  I hadn't had a chance to read it yet since I was preparing for an outdoor show, but Rich had to point out to me that The Painted Trout was again being mentioned in the newsletter.  He attached a document of the snippet featuring us, and I'm going to try to attach it to this blog.... Just click anywhere in the image to see a full-sized version.

Rich wrote "This major "ink" is outstanding!"  Thanks, Rich!

Commission Days 5,6,7 & 8

I've been so busy since working on this project that I haven't had time to write about the final and intense last week of work.  Here it is in pictures and I will post an update with text and more pictures. in a few days.

In the meantime, however, I got an email from the gentleman in New York who commissioned this piece.  Here's what he wrote:

Olive explores the Chaos

Hi Lauren,
The silk got here yesterday.  It's absolutely amazing, way way beyond my expectations.  The details in the leaves and birds is absolutely gorgeous.  Thanks so much for taking on this project.  I just dropped it off at the tailor and will keep you posted as to the progress & end result of the blazer.  Thanks again, it's wonderful!!

Filing system for silk screens

Organized by Species of Tree, Bird, Fish, etc.

Ready to print!

First stage: the main grouse motifs

My assistant hand-applies resist to the grouse images

Leaf motifs are added

There are a lot of wings to resist...

Painted grouse showing resist marks, painted leaf, and other elements. 

Screening the final "top" design element, a faint scrub grass allover pattern.

The full finished effect before steaming (setting the dye).

Close-up of grass over-print before steaming.

Close-up of grass over-print before steaming; resist lines in grouse tail in lower left.

Rolling the finished silk for steaming.

Lucky Pot and her Happy Food

One down, one to go: silk rolled in muslin, wrapped in kraft paper.

So many things can go wrong...

My trusty stove-top steamer with Lucky Pot on top.

One full length of steamed, rinsed and ironed silk.

Ready to send --  say goodbye!