It was a crisp fall evening – open studio night in the artsy NoDa neighborhood of Charlotte, and I’d found my way to the home of artist and printmaker Liz Saintsing. The studio tour map indicated textiles and pillows here (a major weakness of mine), so my interest was already piqued, but I had no idea what beauties lay within. Stepping inside, Liz’s home studio was like an exotic garden, blooming with vibrant color and alive with the flora and fauna that inhabit her prints and textiles. Playful birds, butterflies and insects danced in synchronized formation across silk pillows and canvases.
A bevy of beautiful silk pillows by printmaker Liz Saintsing.
More pillows and art panels by Liz Saintsing.
My designer’s brain immediately began dreaming about the chairs and sofas, indeed entire rooms that would be instantly elevated by these works of art. What I especially love is the way Liz uses nature motifs to create new and unexpected patterns. It’s really quite different from anything I have seen before. As I was talking to Liz, I learned she can also create custom prints on almost any fabric. Imagine billowing silk draperies adorned with butterflies – or stag beetles, if that’s more your style!
Handbags, picture frames and even vintage suitcases can be adorned with Liz Saintsing’s gorgeous prints.
Before I left that evening, I asked if Liz would be on board with being featured on Design Carolinas, and happily she agreed! Here’s a little Q&A with this very talented Charlotte artist:
Tell me how you got interested in printmaking.
I took my first etching class my freshman year of college. I was hooked immediately. There was something so captivating about the process—the timing of the metal plates in the acid bath, inking and wiping the plates, and what the first print would look like. I also had a really inspiring professor who made a huge impact on me.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Everywhere. I find inspiration in nature, color, shapes, pattern, and animals. I am constantly stimulated by the wild world around me. As a kid, I was always outdoors, poking around in the woods, collecting weird things like snake skins, broken eggs, and bird nests. These peculiar motifs have crept into my work. I find them fascinating.
Butterfly wall panel. Photo courtesy of Liz Saintsing.
Birds, insects and nature motifs are prevalent in your work, but there is also an underlying geometry in many of your patterns. Tell me about that.
I try to do a new series of prints every 6 months. It’s ambitious but I try to keep the work fresh. My newest series is a kaleidoscope pattern that incorporates butterflies and beetles. I have thoroughly enjoyed printing this series! It’s so graphic! I thought it would be fun to play with pattern.
What kinds of materials do you enjoy working with most?
I love my Dupioni Silks! I love shopping for them. In fact, the store where I buy my fabric has so many silks to choose from, it’s hard for me to not buy everything! I love how it looks and feels and I love how my prints translate onto the fabric. I also enjoy printing onto reclaimed, vintage handbags. I used to do that for a living when I lived in San Francisco but until recently, I hadn’t printed on a bag in quite some time. I still enjoy it.
About how long does it take to create a single pillow, and can you give an overview of your process?
Hours and hours. The pillows are really time consuming and labor intensive. I cut all my fabrics myself. After cutting, I decide what inks to use and I hand-mix those. Then, the printing begins. Most of my prints are multi-layered and involve 3 to 4 screens. So, every time a different color is used, there’s additional drying time for the ink. Once the fabrics are completed, they are heat-set, insuring that the ink is permanent and washable. Then, they are taken to my amazing seamstress in Tega Kay to be sewn. Once sewn, they’re stuffed with a down insert. Voila!
Do you have a favorite piece you’ve created? (and a picture of it to share?)
That’s tough, if not impossible to choose! I’m really digging these hand-dyed papers that I started experimenting with a few months back. I love the hand-dyeing process and the weight of the paper. I also started making different sized birch panels and breaking them up with color. I like the painterly aspect and the multi-layered look.
Butterfly print on hand-dyed paper. Photo courtesy of Liz Saintsing.
Beetle print on hand-dyed paper. Photo courtesy of Liz Saintsing.
Where can customers see and purchase your work?
I have an online store and several retailers throughout the nation that carry my work. My online store can be seen at http://lizsaintsing.bigcartel.com/ and some of my favorite stores are Material Grace in Mill Valley CA and Craft Alliance in St. Louis MO. I am also gearing up for a HUGE holiday show in Chicago Dec. 6-9. It will be open to the public so anyone is welcome to come!
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Tamara Leicester is a licensed interior designer and owner of Tamara Heather Interior Design, LLC. She designs casually elegant interiors with an artistic sensibility, often drawing upon the talent of local artists and craftspeople in her work. Dreaming about updating your space? Learn more at tamaraheatherinteriors.com.