Friday, January 3, 2014

Screenprint Cut-Out Tunic: Armor/Vulnerability Collection


Happy New Year! It's time to start blogging about fashion again. For my first post of the year, I wanted to show you this cut-out screen printed sweatshirt tunic I have been working on last year as part of the armor/vulnerability collection I have been working on and wrote about here. This is the third piece. The two that I showed before had a faux lace print (the beige dress and the grey sweatshirt). This one has a print made from a picture I took of a gate. For this post, I'll also share a little of my creative process with you.  



Here's the picture I took of a gate in front of a building near the Central Park Zoo two summers ago.

I played around with design ideas on Photoshop


I decided on the image which seemed playful.

First image from www2.prgov. Second image from sangriataina.webs.com
I was not trying to channel Taino imagery in any way but the print ended up looking a little like el Sol de Jayuya. El Sol de Jayuya is a petroglyph shaped like a sun found in the town of Jayuya, Puerto Rico. Many of these petroglyphs were carved by Taino natives which inhabited the island before 1493. 

I screened and printed it onto this deconstructed sweatshirt. The idea of the gate was to symbolize armor and the cut- outs were meant to represent vulnerability.


Front and back. The front consists of three panels and the back is one solid piece. 

The cut-out ended up a little lower than I wanted. I plan to do a sweatshirt version where the cut-outs will be higher.


Note to self: take your hair elastic off your wrist before you take pictures.

Would love to hear your thoughts. These will all be going up in my shop for custom orders soon. 

18 comments:

  1. You are so creative Nellie! I'm so excited for your collection. It is coming along beautifully. So full of creativity and meaning. Keep up the great work! Sending blessings your way in this new year.

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    1. Thank you so much cloudsfullofrain! Blessings are always welcome. Happy New Year! I appreciate you.

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  2. I love that each piece you create has a story behind it and it's not just another "cool" piece of work. Each piece is really art. Kudos to you!

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    1. Oh wow ShirleyG, thank you so much! I do view my fashion work as art, so glad others see it that way as well.

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  3. Love it. You are talented indeed. Wishing you a fruitful year.

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    1. Thank u miz kp! I appreciate your support throughout the years. Happy New Year to u too!

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  4. You did it again. Great job, and thank you for sharing your process. I love reading how an artist comes to their masterpiece. I can't wait to place my order!
    The cutouts are awesome on this piece.

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    1. Thank you Theresa! I decided to share my process more this year, I just don't want to show off but also who people that they can do it too. Thank you for your encouraging words.I'll let you know when these are up in my shop. Happy New Year.

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  5. I love this screen print and the whole front of this design. It was kind of a shock to see just a plain grey back. Could you screen print the back panel too? Or just make it solid black?
    I really like what you are doing with this series. Very interesting and beautiful clothes!

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    1. Thank you EmSewCrazy! What a great suggestion. I like the all black idea. I didn't want to print front and back as I was afraid it would be too busy coming and going but I am always open to new ideas. So glad someone understands the series. That is my goal. Happy New Year!

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  6. You are very talented and creative! Great job, I love it! Kisses Beata :)

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    1. Thank you Beata B! Kisses are always welcome! Happy New Year.

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  7. I love the screenprinted pattern, it looks great.

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  8. I love the print you have made, and the whole look is very dramatic.

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  9. Just so creative! I love the print and the style - love it!

    Thanks so much for sharing on Turn It Up Tuesday! We love having you! :)

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    1. Thank you Natasha! I appreciate the opportunity to share.

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