Welcome to Design Mystic's online workshop. Since 1985, Design Mystic, has been offering a select line of wearable art accessories, featuring uniquely original designs and vibrant colours.
All scarves, ties and kimonos are hand painted on 100% pure silk or wool and all are one-of-kind creations for those who appreciate both quality and value.
Please be sure to visit each section to view a small selection of the work available - every piece is created in the Design Mystic atelier in Mystic, Quebec, and carries the Sylvie Bouchard signature, exclusively.
In the quaint little hamlet of historic Mystic, in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Sylvie finds inspiration, tranquility and creative energy for her work.
All of her work starts out the same way - the silk is laid out as a white canvas on which Sylvie handpaints her unique designs.
Because a flat, rigid surface is needed to apply the design and brush work, pure white silk (or wool) is tightly stretched on a special wooden frame. Then she improvises freely, directly
on the fabric, going wherever her fantasies lead. But it's also a controlled process:
using dyes of different dilutions, variety of fine-haired brushes, resist glue lines (gutta) to draw different shapes. Other techniques include applying hot beeswax and various resists
to give a wide range of effects. When the painting is dry, the finished piece undergoes a sterilization process whereby it is wrapped and rolled in white paper then
placed in a stainless steel steamer for 3-4 hours. The heat and steam serve to fix as well as brighten the colours so that they stay permanently fast without the colours running or fading.
With a Visual Arts degree and an active member of
Farfelu Cooperative Gallery in Westmount, Montreal, Sylvie also participates in Toronto's One-of-a-Kind Christmas Show (Booth Y-46, Toronto, Nov. 27 - Dec 7, 2008). Her work has been featured in exhibitions across Canada.
She is also a co-founder and co-organizer of the artist tour,
La Tournée des 20.
Her workshop in Mystic is particularly busy in the Fall when La Tournée des 20 gets underway. This studio tour, featuring a group of local artists who live and work in the
Brome-Missisquoi area, is becoming more popular each year.
Enjoy your visit!
Enquiries about the availability of Design Mystic creations are always welcomed.