Rhode Island Color Experiment
2017-2021
Textile Design and Prints
While Lisa was studying at the Rhode Island School of Design, Barrett set up a silk screen workshop in order to explore textile design and printing. Having no prior experience in pattern design or screen printing, this was an ambitious learning opportunity. Working with scissors and large sheets of construction paper allowed pattern ideas to play out on the table and then move directly into developing the image.
Much of the yardage he designed and printed went into a series of shirts and pillows sold under the label Rhode Island Color Experiment or RICE. There was also a series of election posters inspired by the work of Sister Corita that he also printed at the studio.
Triangles Print
The images below document my process for designing the actual textile prints. I use a combination of paper stencils and india ink painted on acetate to create the different layers. Triangles is a three layer print involving three different 28”x40” silk screens and each layer of color is printed sequentially.
The textile, a cotton linen blend, is stretched out on four 10’ long tables. Metal stops carefully placed along the rails of the table allow the silkscreen to be precisely placed so that each layer of ink locks into the adjoining layers creating a repeat print.
The first layer is a large paper stencil.
The second layer precisely places the corresponding cutout triangle on top of its negative.
The third layer has ink painted on acetate to create accents to the triangles.
Before printing, color combinations are tested and color formulas are created.
The layers of ink are printed sequentially.
The joy of printing is the first color reveal of a new layer.
I used a narrower 40” fabrics so I could print all the designs solo.
Fabrics are then hung to allow the ink to dry and cure.
Shirt pattern pieces are laid out and then cut.
