Tuesday's Designer - Jamie Kalvestran Textile Alchemist



Hand Dyed 100% Cotton Quilt Fabric - 021411-6 Size - 10" x 11" From TextileAlchemist

This hand dyed 100% cotton quilting weight fabric is great for sewing and crafting. I use Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes with a low water immersion dyeing technique. All fabrics are rinsed in hot water, and then washed in the washing machine in hot water with Synthrapol. Crackle effect is a secondary step using a resist and paint.

“I believe there is value in creating something handmade. A handmade object carries within it the energy of the maker and imprints a piece of the artist’s soul. May the keeper of my creation feel the peace and love put into every steop of it’s making. For me this is soul satisfying work and I feel fortunate to share it with you!”
Jamie Kalvestran

Jamie received her first design assignment while only in the sixth grade. The school principal, recognizing her talents, called her into his office. Her assignment? Complete artistic freedom to paint the school piano and all the school garbage cans. Now an accomplished product designer, published illustrator and with two design patents to her name, Jamie is bringing her inspirational designs into the textile, childrens products and quilting industries.

Her work may be viewed in her online shop Textile Alchemist.

Hand stitching on a hand dyed, hand painted fabric creates this rich and textural button brooch.

A graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Jamie holds a fine arts degree in product design. Authentic designs and integrity of materials is a common thread evident in all of Jamie’s creations.

Unlikely Walleye Print - 012911-5P - 8" x10" print by Jamie Kalvestran

When I was growing up in Wisconsin. Most of our summer vacations were spent traveling north to Canada, camping and walleye fishing. Back in those days you could throw out a bare hook and have a nice walleye in minutes. My father was busy, keeping the hooks baited for me and my two sisters. He also, netted the fish we reeled in and drove the boat. Mom, did the fish frying. Yum, fresh walleye. Nothing better than a shore lunch.

Well, it's been a very long time since I've cast a line. But, I still have a thing for 'Walleyes' and they manifest themselves in my artwork all the time. I call them 'unlikely walleyes' because there has been some creative liberties taken in color, texture and design. But, beneath the surface, they are walleyes. I hope you like them as much or more than I liked those shore lunches.

This print was created by hand dyed batik fabric, then combining with original digital artwork and printed on cold press watercolor paper. It has been placed in an archival 11" x 14" mat ready to be framed and hung.