Sandy Hopper is a highly skilled, multi-media artist whose creative energy is boundless. Her creations are expressions of her intimate relationship with the spiritual and cultural diversity of the southwest. The southwest has always been Sandy's home and its influence is evident in much of her work.
~ Click Here to Visit Sandy's Blog and learn about her design process and inspiration ~
All of Sandy's creations are hand painted, using calligraphy and water color brushes. Many of the techniques used in creating a watercolor painting are incorporated in painting on silk. There are many types of silk from habotai, crepe de chine, charmeuse, chiffon and beautiful jacquard silks with intricate woven patterns. The jacquard silks pick up and reflect light creating motion and vibrancy unique only to jacquards. Silk also has different weights from say a 5mm pongee (very light and filmy like belly-dancing veils) to a luxurious 19.5mm Charmeuse (think dressing gowns and under garments). The possibilities are endless! ( The mm is a weight measurement and is pronounced "mummy". The larger the number the heavier the silk)
The silk is first washed and carefully stretched. There are several different methods for stretching the silk and each holds special benefits for the desired finished effect. Just as there are many ways to prepare silk for the dye, so to are there many techniques for painting the silk. Each piece incorporates techniques that will result in a desired result. The use of resists, soy wax, Lumiere, layering, spotting, salt, sugar, alcohol, the list goes on and on, results in unique-creative works of art.
Sandy often blends colors directly onto the silk and this is only one of the many reasons why no two pieces are ever just alike. Her colors and designs are so creative, some clients have purchased pieces that were originally made to be worn, then asked that they be framed , instead, to be enjoyed as fine art.
Sandy's true delight lies in creating Artful Event Wear. Many times it means working with a client to select just the right look, dying it the loveliest of colors and utilizing creative designs to make that special occasion an Artful Event.
Each artful piece shows her great respect for the process of painting on silk. She takes her time to "dance with the silk" letting it become what it wants to be! Making each creation unique to the moments she spends in the studio. Sandy surrounds herself in 'lemon yellow energy' it infuses her art and all those around her. Her creations speak of her soul, and perhaps one day, to yours.
Grasshopper Silk Studio is located at 509 Bass Road, Hot Springs Landing, Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico. We're open to the public on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am to 4pm, or call or email to arrange for a special appointment: Phone ( 575) 740-4958 & email: ant@grasshoppersilk.com.