Marti's custom fabrics from her Islandreams Textiles Collection and original Batiks are featured at the exclusive Biras Creek Resort, a Relais & Chateaux Hotel, nestled in the British Virgin Islands on Virgin Gorda. Her work has also been featured in the Southern Accents Show House (Rosemary Beach, Florida), in the Coastal Living Magazine Idea House (Carillon Beach, Florida) and in numerous regional, national and international design magazines including Veranda Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens Bedroom & Bath Magazine and Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Magazine and Casa & Estilo International.

<<  Fabric shown: GRAND BIRD OF PARADISE, 100% Linen


The Process of Hand Printing Fabrics
The custom fabric line designs are hand printed using the antique process of woodblock printing and silk screening. Most of the images are organic which are layered to create multiple colors and shapes. Utilizing natural plant materials and hand carved wood cuts, silk screens are created for the hand printing of the fabric. Often these wood blocks are designed and carved by Marti herself or antique wood blocks from her personal collection (gathered from around the world) are used. Many of these rare blocks are more than 100 years old.

Special care is given to create unusual fabrics, using only natural fibers and environmentally safe pigments and inks. The pigments are hand mixed following Marti's own formulas and the fabrics are printed by hand. Batik and hand painting are other techniques used in the varied executions of the unique style of Marti Schmidt 's Fabric Designs. Using the batik process of molten wax on cloth with layering of imagery and color, she creates paintings that evoke a feeling of ancient Egypt, Buddist temples or a Tropical sanctuary; creating unforgettable faces, people, nudes, florals and abstracts.

All fabric designs are original and copyrighted.

SPOTLIGHT: Biras Creek Resort The Inspirations "On the Island of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, sits Biras Creek Resort. High on a hill surrounded by the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the crystal clear turquoise Caribbean Sea. The island is arid with foliage of that consist of the prickly pear cactus, bougainvillea in every color and a forest of sea grape trees that bear eatable deep purple grapes. I was met on my bike rides by lizards and iguanas of all sizes and colors. Patterns made by the sea and water birds that flew by in flocks overhead. While sitting on the dock in the marina , I witness the passage of the great sea turtle, as he dove deep under the waters among the reefs. I swam, together with tropical fish through the waters, sunlight reflecting overhead, creating textures and layers of rainbow colors. I had many wonderful images and colors to choose from when designing the Biras Creek "Island Dreams" collection of hand printed fabrics, art and tiles. If you look carefully you will see many of the inspirations mentioned among the layers in this unique custom collection. Enjoy your stay and have many 'Island Dreams'." - Marti Schmidt visit BIRAS CREEK RESORT online