A R T
A NEW MEDIUM
Alcohol Ink
of color, adhesives and mediums, and
tools with which one can create. These are
fascinating lists that offer artists some
unique ideas.
Cathy then discusses the qualities of
alcohol inks and how to start using them
and discovering various techniques, such
as ink drops, blowing inks to make
shapes, and creating with drips. All of
this has full-color illustrations that take
you along, step-by-step.
The next section of her book deals with
special effects, such as working with
stencils and textured backgrounds. This is
followed by a chapter on Ink-Scapes,
such as mountain landscapes, seascapes
and dreamscapes. Flora and Fauna-scapes
are then demonstrated by different artists
who have perfected the processes. The
fifth chapter of her
book reveals how to
work on fabrics and how to create
tie-dye effects. The final teaching chapter
is a group of additional ideas about
using alcohol inks. The book concludes
with a gallery of work created with alcohol
inks by her fellow artists.
Cathy is an award-winning mixed
media artist and workshop instructor,
who uses a variety of styles. Her work is
represented in galleries, museums and
private collections throughout the world.
She lives with and is inspired by her
husband, Pass-a-Grill native Scott Simmons,
and their two “Doodles,” Elle and Gracie
May.
9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Cathy Taylor’s book,
Pigments of Your Imagination, is available
from its publisher, Schiffer Publishing, at
(610) 593-1777 or www.schifferbooks.com.
IN CATHY TAYLOR’S COLORFUL
new “how to” book, Pigments of Your
Imagination, Creating with Alcohol
Inks, she says she began her art career
doing traditional water colors with the
goal of making real things look real.
Then, she began to color outside the lines,
bending the rules as she experimented
with a wide variety of mediums and
processes. In her search for innovative
and exciting ways to create art, she became
enamored with alcohol inks.
This book begins with a description of
her own magical journey of finding ways
to express herself. Next, she lists a group
of possible substrates that range from
Yupo Paper to found objects, such as
dominos. Then, she lists possible sources
MARCH/APRIL 2015 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 177