Eva Escamilla

Textile printer

©Cristinacandel

©Justo

©Carmen Romo

©Eva Escamilla

Colours of the Mediterranean

Eva learned textile techniques in Japan
She paints on silk and makes felt from carded wool and silk
Her shop is inside the magnificent Estación del Norte

Eva Escamilla’s professional path has always been focused on textiles, first as a designer, and since 2006 as an artisan with her own workshop. A native of Valencia, a town where the tradition of silk is important, this material together with felt became her material of choice to create her colourful and pattern filled fabrics. Eva masters different techniques such as manual painting and printing, batik, felting, shibori and dyeing, and expresses herself through the shades of nature. It is an organic process for her as she doesn’t feel she chose the craft, but the other way around through a spiritual connection between her soul and hands. She deeply values the relationship with her clients, and for her something is “well made” when she sees their happy face after a purchase.

Interview

©Carmen Romo

©Carmen Romo

What is your connection with silk and Valencia?: I hand paint on silk and Valencia has been included in the Unesco silk route since 2017; the industry for this fabric thrived here until the 18th century. At our traditional annual festival Las Fallas, all the costumes are made from silk.
Is Valencia your main source of inspiration?: Not only Valencia but my region, with its deep cultural traditions, its architecture, landscapes, and ceramics. The energy of the local “fiestas”, the colours and the elaborate and traditional costumes. When I design my pieces all of the above feed my imagination.
What are your skills?: The creation of exclusive and unique hand painted silk pieces including scarves, shawls, fans, lamp screens or seamless items of clothing, all made with recycled silk and natural eco-friendly colours. The designs are my own or commissioned by the client.
What is special about the location of your shop?: As a child, I would visit the Estación del Norte as my father, grandfather and uncle all worked there, and I was always mesmerised by the colours of the tiles and mosaics adorning it. 30 years later it feels like a dream to be working here, inspired by those same colours and patterns.

Eva Escamilla is a master artisan: she began her career in 2010 and she started teaching in 2010