I am gearing up for new works that will explore the world of trees.
Recent experiments on papers, with winter leaves, bound and simmered have yielded tones that reflect the winter landscape.
There is so little colour left in the windfalls
yet they have given me, some lovely, ghostly leaf prints.
Mark making with different potions are giving me ideas for bigger works
though how to brew a larger landscape?
I’ve just spent a warm, sunny weekend, in good company, teaching and experimenting with various papers, plants and potions.
The first day of the workshop involved folding stitching and bundling various papers and fabrics with vegetation from the kitchen and garden. The bundles were then simmered and most left to steep overnight. Other papers were prepared for the following day.
The results were some colourful pages and some lovely strong prints from leaves and flowers. We all made discoveries and gained inspiration for future work.
On the second day papers were steamed and more prints revealed. Dan kept us supplied with lots of refreshments and provided a feast of home made focacia breads to go with our lunch of soup, hummus, harissa and salad.
After lunch paper pages and pockets were stitched together to make books.
At the end of a lovely weekend, everybody went away with their individual books and pieces of silk and cotton. I think a good weekend was had by all.
Alex's Natural Dye Pot 