Monday, February 14, 2011

hard to resist


Even though I am in the midst of this big production crunch, I took some time off this weekend for a dye pot experiment. Since fresh leaves are so scarce now I wanted to try to create a resist print using leaflets from the evergreen nandina shrub (thank you India for the suggestion). For the dye color I mixed hibiscus tea and red onion skins, fully expecting a wine color, or pale maroon. Instead I got the most beautiful dark brown color, especially on the wool fabric (below). I love surprises.


I had mixed results with the resist prints. It worked well on the fabric near the surface, but I realized that I don't know how to get the dye color to penetrate the bundles to create the contrast deeper inside... But that is what I love about this process — there is always something new to learn, and frequently the  results are still quite magical. In this case I was amazed by the deep color, and the soft suggestions of the leaves. And those string marks are pretty cool. Happy valentines day everyone. Spread the love...

17 comments:

  1. Pretty cool, indeed - fascinating colour, but why should it go all through...? I like that theres are only shadows in some areas...

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  2. i think you just spread the love. they look good, very good.

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  3. gorgeous.
    i've been trying to really treat my weekends like weekends, but also practicing things i might not otherwise do during crunch time. i get it!

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  4. resistance can be a Very Good Thing indeed...

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  5. so nice to use ready supplies to create this goodness!!

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  6. Those land colours, and leaves...in a semi transparent way...and lines...great experiments to break a bit with big works.
    I like them a lot?

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  7. These are incredible! Such amazing colours and patterns.

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  8. Great color! Did you mordant the fabric first? I've been a bit frustrated lately with pots of linen and cotton- even eucalyptus leaves came out very pale. I gave the fabric a soy milk bath first thinking that might be enough but alas it needed something stronger.
    I'll just keep experimenting!
    Janet

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  9. Very interesting results, the colours are really nice. Makes me nostalgic for my uni days and those not long after where I used to potter around and experiment with natural dyes often...I've done a bit in recent years but need to do it a bit more regularly because I love the process.

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  10. Lotta it's wonderful to see how your work with India has been so beautifully incorporated into your own! I love seeing how things are growing and changing.

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  11. What a great idea! And beautiful results!

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  12. your work is stunning - clean, clear and thoughtful. I love your adventures into ecodyeing. In my experience, once you start, life is NEVER the same again.

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  13. Only just spotted these......they're wonderful! I agree that the brown colour works really well, and the lines are beautiful. Nice to find something to dye with out of season!

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  14. I so love watching you try new techniques...not only is it fascinating to read about what works and what doesn't, but the images you share with the process are always so beautiful. I this case, I love the deep brown you generated with that dye...I wouldn't have expected it but it's gorgeous!

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  15. Incredible colors Lotta! LOOOOVVVEEEE!!!!

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  16. the stripes are my favourite too - if you wrap in some ironscrap, maybe covered in a piece of cotton to prevend a strong print of itself i think there will be more dark colours inside

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  17. such delitcate + beautiful results - i'm sure the unknown adds to the intrigue + fascination with natural dying. stunning.

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