Biography   

 

"Dyeing silk is my passion and the design process is a blend of planning, spontaneity, and experimentation.  Frequently the process begins with a drawing directly on the silk, and progresses with ideas that occur while working."

 

Leigh Designs embraces many different techniques of dyeing one-of-a-kind silk sarongs, kimonos, ruanas, garments, scarves, and wall hung pieces, using direct dye applications, batik, and rozome (Japanese kimono design techniques). 

Silk accepts dyes very brilliantly and the joy of working with color continues to fuel Leigh's experimentation and new designs, often inspired by nature, especially the sub-tropical plants that grace SW Florida.  Mixing her own dyes results in custom colors that can't be easily found elsewhere.  Overlaying one transparent dye color over another creates an entirely new color, which she finds exciting.  The versatility of hot wax used to create the designs lends unique textures to the creations.

Leigh Herndon's process frequently begins with white silk, which, after drawing a unique design, is often stretched.  The hot wax is applied with special Japanese sumi brushes, tjantings, and various tools.  Sometimes the designs call for beeswax, or soy wax, or the process requires etching or painting with thickened dyes.  Then the work is immersion dyed for 20-30 minutes.  The wax preserves the color (white usually for the first waxing), and the rest of the silk is dyed the first and lightest color.  After the piece is completely dry, the new color is protected where desired with hot wax.  The piece then goes into the next dye bath keeping in mind that the unprotected color will be altered by the new color.  The colors are layered in this manner, often several times—and therefore a piece takes several days to complete.  Each piece is signed.

Leigh studied with Betsy Sterling Benjamin, the rozome artist, leading authority, and author of The World of Rozome, who had lived for several years in Japan studying under the master kimono designers. In June, 2010, Leigh graduated from the Artists as Entrepreneurs institute in Fort Lauderdale.  In addition to creating her own works, Leigh teaches a limited number of private students.

Leigh started dyeing fabrics while working on her BFA at the University of Montana.  Her training included printmaking, painting, and drawing.  There were no courses offered in fabric design so a professor let her order dyes and teach herself the ancient art of batik.  Later she taught what she had learned to many students of all ages at art centers and special workshops. 

She pursued her MFA at Southern Illinois University to study with leading fiber artist Joan Lintault, and learned direct dye painting from the late Lenore Davis.  During that time her work included large dye-painted quilts which were exhibited in several national juried shows.  She was also influenced by the batiks of Joseph Almyda.  Descriptive of her feelings about working with dyes are "passion" and "joy."