‘Steps’ handpainted oversize silk shirt dress Carole Waller
‘Steps’ handpainted oversize silk shirt dress Carole Waller is painted in cobalt blue with moss and lime green, cream, yellow and rusty orange on the back. It has painted buttons down the front and dropped shoulders.The silk crepe de chine is a mid to heavy weight which takes colour really well, has a slight sheen, and falls beautifully.
Inspiration:
The collection is directly inspired by an hilltop town called Barga near the Italian walled city of Lucca.
The Duomo crowns the hill, and the town. I made many drawings and prints of the building with its simple arches inside and out during the summer of 2024. Amber coloured alabaster windows convey a soft warm light inside the space and the pale white marble arches on the outside create sharp and soft shadows as the sun moves.
Barga is full of light and shadow with tall buildings with narrow alleys conveying darkness and light both soft and stark.
Colour is everywhere and constantly changing as the sun moves around and briefly illuminates surfaces before it drops away to other surfaces. The texture of stone, terracotta and paint against a backdrop of blue sky and endless astonishing mountain vistas is a heady mix!
This group of painted clothes is an exploration of that drama in light and dark, separated by edges of buildings or softly moving shadows. I have tried to capture the drama and the power of the place, leading to colourways which are either dramatic and earthy or stark and full of contrast.
I spent a month there as artist in residence at Quattro Archi Studios and Gallery. and look forward to having an exhibition of paintings and clothing in the stunning gallery there in 2025. I shall also be teaching at Quattro Archi, of which details in the ‘Workshops’ section on this site. The gallery is built in a disused cantina underneath the printmaking studios, which in turn are two minutes walk from the fantastic 11th century Romanesque Cathedral of San Christoforo. The Duomo became my main inspiration for its simultaneous simplicity and complexity.
Handwash or dry clean.
‘Steps’ handpainted oversize silk shirt dress Carole Waller
Measurements:
Dropped shoulders mean this style suits many shapes and sizes. The model is 5’9″ and size 10 but this style flatters most of us!
Backlength : 94cm / 37”
Bust : 184cm / 72”
Shoulder to shoulder : 53cm / 21”
Sleeve: 35cm / 14”
Carole Waller art to wear:
Each painted garment and scarf by Carole Waller is unique wearable art – art to wear. My technique is to handpaint each piece at the studio – which is just outside Bath. My fabrics are unprimed ‘canvases’ and the paintings evolve as I work, and consequently no two pieces are the same.
I also make bespoke commissions and would be delighted to work with you to create the style you prefer, in the colours and cloth of your choice. Despite the fact that I cannot colour match, I can promise you a unique artwork. Visitors are welcome anytime, by appointment.
Waller&Wood.
Waller and Wood is our gallery name from the time we had a retail gallery in Bath between 2015 and 2020. My studio and small showroom is now at our home 4 miles east of Bath on the A4, with good parking and coffee.
Main Photo: Egle Vasi
The code for this specific piece is AW24/3
