Kay Satherley

My name is Kay Satherley of Satherley Silks New Zealand.

I am a silk artist and have been painting on silk for 6 years now.

I started Silk Painting on Silk when my sister who paints silk in Switzerland kept saying I should paint on silk as I was a struggling artist. She thought it might be easier for me to sell silk painting, so I eventually got the hint! And it worked.

I paint in a large rustic shed, fairly cold in winter but that actually works better with the dyes becoming enriched on the silk when the air is damp. It isn't a precious space so the fact that I make messes doesn't matter!, it is the ideal environment for my creative process. Inspired by my garden, the beaches and natural surroundings north of Auckland, I have hand painted and sold near to two thousand pieces, each one unique.
I use Habotai 8mm silk from Dharma and metallic Gutta from Dharma.

I love the silk now as it is always presenting surprises as you work, there is that bit of freedom involved as the dyes are affected by different temperatures and humidity. Once I realised this after some disasters, I could start to make it work to my advantage.

I am also now having my detailed Birds paintings printed onto Aluminum for Outdoor Weatherproof Art.