Watercolor Inspiration Drawings

As an artist who likes adventure and spontenouity in life, I usually paint freelance without a premedidated design; gutta becomes my pen and dupont is my color. The experience is completely suprising because I never know what the result will be. Sometimes the result is not to my liking but it can still appeal to others. The entire experience of painting on silk becomes a complete suprise.

I began to experience a different way of painting by making watercolor sketches like the ones I'm sharing below. Any painting on silk is suprising but doing the sketches beforehand actually allows for me to explore more. The final painting does not only satisfying my expectations but it has greater composition and richness.

Painting silk without a skecth is spontenous creation without a set goal. Painting with a sketch is less spontenous but it still gives great opportunities to add more richness.

More New Collection 2012

I love love love my new collection. I was inspired by nature such as a flying peacock. They inspire the colors I create when I paint the tulips. I think nature is a great source of inspiration for silk artist because silk itself comes from nature.

Finding opportunities at shows that are not meant for fiber art...

Hi Silk Painting Network!
I would like to share the experience I had when I participated at a show that was not specifically catered for fiber art.

Last year I was looking for different opportunities to present my art, which is mostly inspired by flowers. I found the Santa Barbara Orchid Show and wondered if I could participate in it even though I am not a flower vendor. I contacted the organizers of the show and I was happy to receive a reply that said I could participate in the show as a fiber artist. I wasn’t quite sure how to prepare for the show. I concluded that I would make orchid frames and paint orchids on a couple of silk shawls.

The day that I arrived I felt a little out of place because I was the only fabric vendor. However, being in the presence of so many orchids was fascinating. On the first day of the show the orchid silk shawls sold immediately. The orchid frames did not go as fast but I immediately understood that selling opportunities exist everywhere

That is what I want to share with you. We are all able to think outside the box and to find new avenues where we can sell our art. Remaining curious still motivates me to find new places to expose my art to the public.

I'll be participating in the Santa Barabara Orchid Show again this year. I cannot wait! :)

Upcoming Shows!!

Leyla Navab ArtSilk participates in different arts and crafts shows in California. We really like meeting our customers and getting to know what they like and what they are looking for so that we can better serve their needs. Also, we get to meet other artists and enjoy their art or craft.

These are the shows we are to participate in:

May 14 & 15 - Paseo Spring Fest: This show takes place at the beautiful outdoor mall Paseo Colorado in Pasadena. Paseo Colorado, 280 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101. Booth number pending.

June 10, 11, & 12 - Contemporary Crafts Market: This shows occurs semi-annully at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. 1855 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. We have been lucky enough to participate in this show for several years now.  We will be at booth #376.


September 24 & 25 - Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival:  This show takes place "magical redwoods at the foot of Mt. Tamalpais, in historic Old Mill Park". This will be our first time attending this show so we're really excited! Booth number pending.


If you know of any other shows please email us the information. We are always looking for new arts and crafts shows that we can be part of.