Creating the products
Artists have long relied on the sale of art prints (reproductions) to provide less expensive options to their buyers, to provide an additional income source to offering originals, and to build a collector base. I found myself at that same place in my art career. After all, there is only one original. I feel incredibly blessed that my original fabric collages have sold as quickly as I could stitch them which takes an average of 20-35 hours. Buyers said, “If only you had other options that I could buy of that image…I love your art but cannot afford the original!” In response, I started offering fine art prints (giclees) printed using fade-resistant, archival inks. A selection of these prints on paper and canvas are coming soon at robinbowmandesigns.com.
I became intrigued with creating what I call derivative work; that is incorporating images from existing designs into new products that would extend my offerings beyond my original fabric collages and prints. I created “second generation originals,” which had images of my designs printed on my home computer and stitched into cloth to create a new piece. I created clocks out of fabric, and sold boxes topped with fabric that I had printed my images on, and even produced a line of stationery.
About that time my sister mentioned, “If only you had ceramic tile - I could put one of those fish in my backsplash!” She was renovating her lake house and had little wall space in the kitchen. In response to what my sister had asked, I remarked, “Why not?” and I committed to this next challenge.
This exploration led me to discover a printing process called sublimation; in which images, special inks and substrates are combined combined using a heat press to produce permanent imagery on various materials. Through the process of sublimation, heat changes the ink to a gas, allowing the inks to permeate the surface of the tile. As the tile (or other substrate) cools, the ink becomes a solid again and becomes permanently embedded. That is it - no decals, no stencils, no rubbing off…completely permanent.
After months of study and practice, I can now create a product in which every detail of the original stitched work can be seen in the glossy tile. The brilliant colors of the dyed cloth and embellishments, add to the dimensional effects. My sister got her backsplash and I gained a new artistic venture!
SPOTTED SEATROUT AS A MOSAIC IN BACKSPLASH AT THE LAKEHOUSE.
Do other artists sell tile with their images on them? Yes. Why are my tiles different? Because while paintings and other mediums reproduced on tile produce a more two-dimensional look, my fabric collages result in a three-dimensional effect, with considerable movement and depth. If you have doubts about this, take a close look at this image on tile. I have had customers ask “how did you get the fabric inside of the tile?”
While the learning curve on this sublimation process was intensive and time-consuming, finding creative ways of using my original collage designs to produce affordable gifts and home decor items has changed my art life. I now create art that makes more art!
Created in 2019, Art for your Nest allows me to show and sell these products to you with a few clicks. My husband has retired, and is now happy to assist me with the printing and shipping of the products. Another added benefit: having an online store keeps me a few feet (not miles or states away) from my home studio where the new cycle of art begins with a new fabric collage.