Block-Printed Textiles from a New York Painter

Artist Caroline Z. Hurley was first exposed to the art of block printing during a trip to Bali. Upon her return to New York City, she took her inspiration to another level and started block-printing Italian linen and other textiles. A RISD graduate and Memphis native, Hurley works as a part-time teacher and spends her evenings in her studio. She’s quickly gained a following for her abstract paintings and vivid-colored linen throws, blankets, and napkins–all block printed by hand in her signature geometric patterns.

Above: A collection of Hurley’s Throw Blankets displayed on a set of coat hangers by Swedish blogger and designer Annaleena Karlsson.

 

Above:  The Pick Up Sticks Linen Throw is available in sherbet pink for $140 at Caroline Z Hurley.

Above: Hurley offers linen napkins in a variety of hand-blocked patterns. The Sticks Linen Napkins (left) and the Hannah Black on White Linen Napkins (right) are both $60 for a set of four. N.B.: The napkins are a favorite of Domino magazine’s editor-in-chief Michelle Adams.

 

Above: The Heavy Weight Blanket in Trio Hannah Khaki is made from 100-percent linen; it’s $200 via Caroline Z Hurley and is also available at Spartan in Austin, Texas.

Above: A detail of the blanket shows the block-printed arrow pattern that Hurley creates by hand using non-toxic acrylic ink.

 

Above: The Nenga Linen Throw is made from a green-colored Italian linen and hand blocked in a diamond pattern; $140 from the Minimalist.

Above: Caroline stands against her photo styling wall. For more of her work, including her paintings, go to Caroline Z Hurley.

See other uses for linen in our recent posts: High/Low: Linen Pendant Shades and A New Line of Linen Inspired by Modernists. Thinking of trying block printing yourself? See our DIYS: Block Printing: The Customized Tea Towel and Three Fabric Printing Techniques, Rolling Pin Included.