Each shirt comes with a little piece of history regarding the image.
The Interlacing Birds image, the
Lion of Ireland image and the images found on the backs of Eire I and Eire
II are found in the Book of Kells. The Country Sports and Country Life Image,
the Celtic Cross 1 & 2 images, and the Cuchulain image are all Traditional
images. The Cross of Scriptures image*, Clonmacnoise*, Eire 3, Columcille*,
the Dolmen of Poulnabrone*, the Giant's Causeway*, the Randalstown Viaduct,Cliffs
of Achill, Children of Lir, the White Stag and the Carrick-a-rede* images
are all original drawings by the artist, Cheryl Parkinson.
*Selected images are now available on linen and are suitable for framing.
The images are drawn onto a silkscreen, the parts I want to print in black are painted with drawing fluid.
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Then the screen is covered with a fluid called screen filler. Once it is dry, I wash the screen with cold water. This removes the drawing fluid and the end result is a printable silkscreen.
What? It's backwards! It's supposed to be backwards! It does print correctly though.
I print the image in black and then I hand paint the details of the image with permanent, non-fading, non-cracking and non-peeling vibrant colours manufactured specifically for fabrics.
I always knew I wanted to be an artist! In case you are wondering, the dapper young man standing next to me is my brother, Bryan. This is what he looks like now.
I have been silkscreening and hand-painting on clothing since 1984. I started in a Textiles class at the Alberta College of Art. I graduated from there in 1988 with a Major in GLASS, (yes, I know how to blow glass too!), and two Minors; one in Textiles and one in Printmaking.
I set up a studio for silkscreening and hand-painting and have carried it into the 21st century. I do prefer the topics of the ancient Celts though. I hope you do too!