I have written about Theresa Cheek on a few occasions now.
She writes the most wonderful informative blog about decorative arts, she stencils, she is based in Texas and travels from there to all kinds of exciting places, she is a very talented artist and has a legion of admirers. Recently she wrote to ask for my help with an outfit she was going to source and decorate. Like me, Theresa wears her art on her sleeve... or in this case around her hem. We paint, stencil and customise many of our outfits. She did not need an ounce of my help in the end but our correspondence involved her sending pictures and keeping me up to date with a Ventetian inspired smock that she was creating to wear at the decorative painter's Salon in Atlanta. I asked if I could share the results with you. Firstly she sourced the smocks from Green and Stone, a delicious traditional artists suppliers in London, England. They shipped directly to her so my help was not needed.
Rachel and I are very tempted to order one each.
Theresa wrote 'My inspiration was a photo of a smock with a sepia landscape painted inside...I picked up some prints in Florence and scanned them and then transferred them onto the front bottom hem and the upper back of the smock..I think I will add a large black bow at the top in the front. Too much???'
As it turned out, the smock was far larger than Theresa expected so she had to take it in and take it up. Look at all the lovely buildings on the edge and back of the garment.
She added large, vintage style buttons onto it and she added that bow.
At first glance I thought she had painted a trompe L'eoil bow...yes she is that clever.
Theresa told me that the smock turned out just as she had seen it in her head. She also said she would be wearing it with leggings and gondolier style shoes. Let's see the shoes Ms Cheek!
Visit Theresa at Arts The Answer.
Helen.
Theresa does amazing work. I love the art hidden inside the smock. Wonder if the large size would fit me?
Posted by: Patrick Gracewood | May 13, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Ab Fab!
Posted by: Thea Holmes | May 13, 2011 at 06:01 PM
What a great post. :) I love Theresa so -- both she and the smock are wonderful! (I do like the addition of the black bow, too.)
Posted by: Regina | May 13, 2011 at 07:47 PM
theresa is adorable and so is her beautiful smock!
Posted by: Lynne Rutter | May 13, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Helen thanks for featuring Theresa this is just as amazing a smock as I thought it would be!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Posted by: Karena | May 15, 2011 at 05:12 AM
Theresa, Did you paint the wheel behind you?
Posted by: Helen Morris | May 15, 2011 at 09:14 AM
This is like an artists version of 84 Charing Cross Road. Love the friendship swimming back and forth.
Posted by: home before dark | May 15, 2011 at 07:12 PM
SO many lovely comments! You are all my good friends and incredible artists.
Patrick-Trust me, you can wear it! They are "one size" and extremely ample!
Helen-the wheel was painted by Jan Berghuis depicting the secret of the Golden Mean.
Posted by: Theresa Cheek | May 16, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Bravo ! This is such a cool and creative collaboration...and Theresa, this smock is so you ! The black bow is adorable and...please. may we get to see the gondolier shoes ? :-)
Posted by: my castle in Spain | May 18, 2011 at 09:42 AM
You mentioned that you found took some wonderful prints and transferred them to the smocks. How do you transfer a print to fabric? Sorry....I am not an artist, but you inspire me to try.
Posted by: Susan Jacobs | May 21, 2011 at 07:18 PM
I shall pass your enquiry to Theresa.
Anyone else with advice please chip in.
Posted by: stencil helen | May 22, 2011 at 08:54 AM
Thanks Helen, I contacted her. For anyone wanting to know the process, just go to an office supply store to the computer paper aisle and buy a package of iron-on t-shirt transfer paper. You can scan your image into your computer or use a file your already have. Put a sheet of transfer paper into your copier and then, cut out the design and iron on. The transfer paper costs about one dollar a piece. A package of ten sheets is around 12-15 dollars.
Posted by: Theresa Cheek | May 22, 2011 at 06:03 PM
Brilliant, thank you Theresa. I am tempted to try transfers over a stencilled fabric. Maybe insects on a floral pattern.
I had a customer who combined transfers of portraits (photographs)with stencilled pattern onto walls. Does anyone one know what product may have been used for wall transfers?
Posted by: helen morris | May 22, 2011 at 10:15 PM