This workshop is part of The Artist’s Studio Series, a program designed to increase access to training and education for working artists. Learn more here.

Workshop Description: In this workshop, students will learn how to make botanical inks using easily-sourced local plants and materials. Discover how to harvest and collect materials, prepare the inks, and use them for a variety of applications. There will also be time to experiment with the inks made in class using brushes on paper. These inks can also be used with dip pens. Students will get to keep four small bottles of ink to take home with them.

This process is applicable to a variety of artistic mediums including watercolor, illustration, calligraphy, quilting, felting, printmaking, and more.

All materials will be provided.

Workshop Information:

• Date: Saturday, May 16th from 10am-1pm

• Teaching artist: Judy Saye-Willis

• Level: All skill levels welcome.

• Ages 18+

• Participation fee: $15 per person

About the Artist: “I have been a fiber artist for most of my life. My work has been rich in texture with exciting color, has strong eye appeal and often a message of environmental stewardship. When I discovered natural dyes I read everything I could find about the cultures, history, geography and politics that surround textiles and natural dyes. I also discovered that I could locally forage for dye materials in the prairies, ditches, woodlands, by the streams and in some of my friend’s gardens. I was seeing Natures Gentle Colors in a whole new way.  I would ask my mentor for recipes and processes. He finally told me to use my eyes and head. That has served me well. I can now collaborate with the materials having mastered techniques. However, I still have green stains on my knees.” Judy has a stula (studio lab) in Northfield, MN. Learn more about her and see her work at her website here.