Yasmine Louis Textile Printing



	In 1985, after spending my entire childhood in West Africa, my family and I immigrated to cold, very cold, Montreal. By 1992, after finishing a fine arts degree, I decided to move to Toronto to study at the Ontario College of Art and Design in the Textile Printing Program. In Toronto, I discovered that being half Swiss, half Egyptian, francophone and newly bilingual, was the perfect way to blend into this amazingly multicultural city. This was also when I discovered that silk-screen printing is my passion. After graduation, and three years at the Harbourfront Craft Studios, I opened my own silk-screen printing studio in the Queen West District of Toronto. It was during this time that I developed my funky line of silk-screen printed pillows. This was just the beginning of a great printing adventure. From pillows to napkins to light boxes to now clothing and commissioned work – I have printed on every possible fabric and surface, participated in some of the biggest craft shows in Canada and the U.S. and collaborated with fabulous artists and designers. The neighborhood has changed over the past few years but, I am still creating in my downtown studio. I have the same talented sewer that has been with me since the beginning. And although I sometimes hire extra help to assist me when needed, every single item made in my studio is hand printed, with water based pigments, by me. The best part of all this is meeting the people who love my work and that have supported me all along. So please, next time you see my booth at a show, drop by and say hi. Printing printing printing, what a great way to spend fourteen years. And I can’t wait for more!