1. 6 Mar


    After my massive posting about sloths, I thought I would actually publish some progress work on here.  I recently created a sample I made using a flour resist technique on some old canvas cloth I inherited.  I have so much of it that I am thinking of turning it into up-cycled upholstery on some furniture that needs repairing.  My plan is to incorporate this cloth while utilizing hand weaving techniques similarly seen in Gunta Stolzl’s “African Chair” piece.  Also, this canvas cloth was once part of one of two couches I grew up on, built by my father.  Back when I was a child I grew up on furniture that was mostly constructed by him: my bed, the family couches, my desk, the wooden floors, and now recently he did a complete make-over on the roof.  It is inspiring to think how objects can continue to be re-invented.

    After my massive posting about sloths, I thought I would actually publish some progress work on here.  I recently created a sample I made using a flour resist technique on some old canvas cloth I inherited.  I have so much of it that I am thinking of turning it into up-cycled upholstery on some furniture that needs repairing.  My plan is to incorporate this cloth while utilizing hand weaving techniques similarly seen in Gunta Stolzl’s “African Chair” piece.  Also, this canvas cloth was once part of one of two couches I grew up on, built by my father.  Back when I was a child I grew up on furniture that was mostly constructed by him: my bed, the family couches, my desk, the wooden floors, and now recently he did a complete make-over on the roof.  It is inspiring to think how objects can continue to be re-invented.

    (Source: asuncame)

     

  2. 26 Sep


    Alkanet Root Dye, Alkanna Tinctoria The alkanet dye plant was collected in the neighborhood of Ravenswood in Chicago, Illinois.  This entire plant can be used to extract different colors, however, I used the roots to create this dark grey scale purple.  Also, alkanet is a traditional Scottish dye plant used to make the famous plaid tartans that symbolizes and differentiates each historical clan (families) that lived in Scotland for generations.   For each dye plant that I find in Chicago, I uncover more cultural truths about how this city became uniquely rich in biodiversity and resilient with its citizenry. I recently started a new blog entitled, the Urban Prairie Dye Project, that capitalizes off of my thesis research that I completed this past year -linking cultures to dye plants I collect in Chicago and use them in my artistic and art therapy practice.  Only this blog also lets other artists and natural dyers submit work to the page and share their stories.  Feel free to check it out and submit your work.

    Alkanet Root Dye, Alkanna Tinctoria

    The alkanet dye plant was collected in the neighborhood of Ravenswood in Chicago, Illinois.  This entire plant can be used to extract different colors, however, I used the roots to create this dark grey scale purple.  Also, alkanet is a traditional Scottish dye plant used to make the famous plaid tartans that symbolizes and differentiates each historical clan (families) that lived in Scotland for generations.  

    For each dye plant that I find in Chicago, I uncover more cultural truths about how this city became uniquely rich in biodiversity and resilient with its citizenry.

    I recently started a new blog entitled, the Urban Prairie Dye Project, that capitalizes off of my thesis research that I completed this past year -linking cultures to dye plants I collect in Chicago and use them in my artistic and art therapy practice.  Only this blog also lets other artists and natural dyers submit work to the page and share their stories.  Feel free to check it out and submit your work.

     

  3. 25 Sep


    Mountain and prairie wildflowers collected from the fields of Ballyvaughn, Ireland.  These dye flowers were identified, harvested, and printed on fabric. Artwork by Stephany Latham

    Mountain and prairie wildflowers collected from the fields of Ballyvaughn, Ireland.  These dye flowers were identified, harvested, and printed on fabric.

    Artwork by Stephany Latham

     

  4. 10 Apr


    Here is a page out of my Master’s thesis.  I have been mixing colors with plants I found throughout the Chicago area with traditional dye plants to make interesting colors on fabrics and skeins.  I have found that this method of making color is applicable to art therapy in that it evokes a curiosity in one’s own culture as well as fostering a connection with materials found in nature through ecoliteracy.  More pages are to come!

    Here is a page out of my Master’s thesis.  I have been mixing colors with plants I found throughout the Chicago area with traditional dye plants to make interesting colors on fabrics and skeins.  I have found that this method of making color is applicable to art therapy in that it evokes a curiosity in one’s own culture as well as fostering a connection with materials found in nature through ecoliteracy.  More pages are to come!

     

  5. 23 Jan


    For those of you who don’t know India Flint, she is an amazing fiber artist and an accomplished author of books dedicated to spreading knowledge of plant dyes, natural color, and sustainable practices involving harvesting fiberous material.  Also, her art work is just as incredible as her passion for natural materials, and most of time you can wear her designs. Know it, love it.  Thank you for reading. India Flint At the Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax Nova Scotia Source: artpropelled

    For those of you who don’t know India Flint, she is an amazing fiber artist and an accomplished author of books dedicated to spreading knowledge of plant dyes, natural color, and sustainable practices involving harvesting fiberous material.  Also, her art work is just as incredible as her passion for natural materials, and most of time you can wear her designs.

    Know it, love it.  Thank you for reading.

    India Flint

    At the Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax Nova Scotia

    Source: artpropelled

    (via artpropelled)