Crow Timber Barn Workshop-A Fabulous Experience

I recently attended a 5 day workshop with Claire Benn and Leslie Morgan at the Nancy Crow Timber Barn in Ohio. What a fabulous experience I had! The facility is the ultimate. If you ever get the chance to participate, go for it you will not regret it. Nancy herself is absolutely delightful. Even though I was not in her class she called me by name.

Claire and Leslie were highly professional and conducted the workshop with specific order. The title of the workshop sums it up: Working with Intent

They were diligent in keeping us on track. My stated intent was to work on a larger scale; about 4′x5′. Claire demonstrated how to use a silk screen for deconstruction application on linen which is about 4′ x 7′. First I created a design with thickened dye on the print side of a silk screen, size 18×18″. This had to dry overnight. The screen is used over and over again with more thickened dye. As each pull is made, the design breaks down. Ultimately until totally unrecognizable. We were stunned how far she took this process. When the process was complete, the design was totally obliterated. We were all frozen in place wondering when she was going to stop!

Claire applying thickened dye (scraping) to whole cloth.

Bobby Vance looks on with delight.

Afterwards the cloth was rinsed and washed and prepared for more dye. She insisted that cloth should be taken through many layers and processes to finally realize the multitude of possibilities. I then applied more thickened dye to the reverse side to further “push” the colors on the front. The dye was applied with a spatula; this is called “scraping”. That was the final step for this piece. After I examined the results from the scraping I felt completely satisfied.

Whole cloth 1

The next step was for me to attempt this process. I created another design on a silk screen to use. The process takes quite a bit of exertion and time.

I spent about 1 hour doing the deconstruction process using the same colors as Claire used. I did not push it as far as she did because I liked seeing the design a bit here and there.

After washing and drying I applied more dye to the back and washed it again. I thought I did a good job for my first attempt. However, I wanted to add some more effects. The edges of the screen showed enough that I thought adding some square shapes to the cloth would repeat this as a motif.

I made some squares with masking tape on the print side of a silk screen and used more thickened dye. The squares applied MUCH more prominent than I had planned. I continued to add more squares and a variety of sizes. I am not sure if I like it as a whole cloth but I am pleased with my efforts.

This cloth will probably be cut into sections.

Whole cloth 2

The Barn itself is HUGE and magnificent! Our workshop was in the basement. The massive timber beams were exposed over our heads. The beams appeared to be cut by hand with a hatchet.

Crow Timber Barn

It was great to be in the basement as we could park beside the barn and walk right into the bottom floor. The main classroom is upstairs and is also HUGE!

This image does not show the lower level as it is on the opposite side. A new addition was added to the end which is where the kitchen and dining hall is located.

I walked the property some and became intrigued with the corn fields. The stalks were still standing and even though dry they offered good possibilities for subject matter.

Corn stalks