Sharon Gellerman creates hand-marbled designs on silk and other natural fibers using a process (marbling) that originated many centuries ago. She applies layers of colorful dyes onto a solution of water and cellulose that allows the dyes to float above the liquid. Using custom-made combs or rakes, Sharon manipulates the layers of color into unique designs. The design is then transferred onto the silk when the fabric is placed on top of the composition and absorbs the dye colors. She says, "No two designs are alike simply because of the unpredictable nature of the interaction between the dyes and the marbling process itself." Sharon finds the challenge of working with that unpredictability both intriguing and inspiring. Using the blank piece of fabric as a canvas, she creates each silk scarf design as a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art.
