For the past few months, I have been working on a collection of individually printed silk scarves. I’ve been experimenting with a process involving light activated dyes and film negatives. If you are interested in any of the items, they are for sale on my Etsy page. They are all one of a kind and unique (like a snowflake), never exactly the same as each other, not even the colour.

Film negatives ©2021 by Andrea Mai. All rights reserved.

It took me quite some time learning to work with these dyes. A lot of testing was needed, as you do not know what colour is going to turn out until the final wash. When the dyes are applied, they are almost colourless.The colour develops as the dye is exposed to light. Film negatives are laid out on the fabric to create a resist against the light. After the exposure is complete, the fabric is washed to remove excess dye.

Applying the dye and film ©2021 by Andrea Mai. All rights reserved.

Test swatches ©2021 by Andrea Mai. All rights reserved.

I created these rose motif prints using my photographs of English roses that I created while I was in London a couple years ago.

For sale here. ©2021 by Andrea Mai. All rights reserved.

For sale here. ©2021 by Andrea Mai. All rights reserved.

For sale here. ©2021 by Andrea Mai. All rights reserved.

For sale here. ©2021 by Andrea Mai. All rights reserved.

I also used French-style lace to create a design.

For sale here. ©2021 by Andrea Mai. All rights reserved.

For sale here. ©2021 by Andrea Mai. All rights reserved.

I also created a pictogram print with my prince autograph necklace.

For sake here. ©2021 by Andrea Mai. All rights reserved.

This process I’m working with has me excited. I’m looking forward to the spring when the peonies in my garden will be in bloom. I’d like to make a peony print.

mage above: “Negatives” by Andrea Mai.

©2021 by Andrea Mai. All rights reserved.