..John Marshall is a California artist who trained in Japan in traditional doll making techniques, then began branching out into amazing wearable art using the techniques of katazome and tsutsugaki to bring his designs to life. His designs are very prized by collectors, and they retail at Bergdorfs for a small fortune.
..Mr Marshall was good enough to date this piece for me to 1979 or 1980 making this a very early work. He calls the design Rara Avis... rare bird! It was entirely hand painted by Marshall with natural dyes on silk noil... it is a woven fabric with a natural linen feel. When you see the painting up close you are going to be amazed at the intricacy of the workmanship.
..The cut of the coat is very Japanese in style, with the big, fan like sleeves that taper to the wrist. The coat is partially lined at the seams with hand painted fabric as well.