Traditional Marbling Techniques

Service Description

ZOOM GROUP CLASS How many rabbits can you pull out of your creative hat? The more diverse your skills become, the more you can offer your clients. For our next IDAL online class, we are hosting Theresa Cheek, who is sharing her expertise on the art of marbling. This is not the craft class you did as a kid. And this is not the “Faux Marble” that we might paint on walls or columns. Historic marbling dates to the 12th century and has been used on textiles, paper, wood, and other mediums for centuries. (Benjamin Franklin in 1775, even had the twenty-dollar notes of the Continental Currency marbled on the left ends to prevent forgery.) Papers were traded from Asia to the Netherlands and were widely used in bookmaking, and on other treasured objects. Today, marbled paper designs are used on wallpapers, fabrics, furniture, and many creative surfaces. There are levels of marbling expertise, from craft to professional, and with a background of over 30 years in marbling, Theresa will be sharing the traditional methods of marbling using the historically authentic tools and chemicals that produce professional results. She has made custom colorways in marbled paper for walls, molding, textiles, and furniture. A variety of options and all your technical questions will be discussed in the class. Each student will receive a .pdf handout with a list of materials, tools, sources, and other information. ABOUT THERESA CHEEK Theresa Cheek has a BFA from the University of Texas at Austin in Art History. Her interest in the historical side of art led to a career as a decorative artisan. Theresa has been a full-time decorative artisan for thirty years, specializing in gilding, murals, chinoiserie, and custom furniture finishes. Her work can be found in private residences, churches, historical homes, commercial spaces, and even railroad cars. Specializing in the various arts of decorative painting has taken her throughout the U.S. for commercial, residential, and religious projects. She has served on the board of IDAL as President and is a member of the prestigious International Decorative Artist’s Salon traveling and exhibiting her work in France, Norway, and US cities for yearly conferences. Her marbling has been carried in art galleries, featured in magazines and is in great demand. She can be found on IG: @artstheanswer and on FB: @Theresa Cheek.