Botanical Magic: The Alchemy of Plants & Paper

$165.00

Coax magic from the landscape in this 5-hour immersive intensive.

In this workshop, we move beyond the surface to explore the hidden chemistry of the natural world. We’ll tap into the elements of rust, moisture, pressure, and heat to transfer naturally occurring plant pigments directly onto pre-treated papers. You will learn the art of bundling for the dye pot and the essential science of mordanting: preparing fibers to permanently hold the ghost-prints of the plants we gather.

While our bundles simmer, we’ll shift our focus to the rhythmic practice of botanical papermaking. Using a simple, low-water method, you will transform prepared plant fiber pulp into highly textured art papers that carry the spirit of the "residual harvest."

What You’ll Create & Take Home:

5 Ecoprints on 6 x 6 Watercolor Paper: These high-quality prints can be framed individually or mounted together in expressive groupings.
5 Sheets of 6 x 6 Handmade Botanical Paper: Textured, organic sheets that stand alone as finished works or serve as a rich foundation for collage.
5 Ecoprinted Collage Papers: Specialized prints on delicate rice paper or repurposed book pages, designed specifically to be incorporated into mixed-media projects.
Instructions & Resources: A guide to help you replicate the "alchemy" in your own creative space.

Registration Details

Investment: $165 per student (Includes all specialized mordants, watercolor papers, botanical fibers, and take-home resources).
Location: Private, outdoor covered studio, Citrus Heights, CA.

Dates

Friday May 22, noon to 5 pm
Saturday May 30, 9 am to 2 pm
Friday October 23, noon to 5 pm
Saturday November 21, 9 am to 2 pm

Class Size

Limited to 6 participants; not suitable for children. Workshop may be canceled with 2 days’ notice and full refund if fewer than 3 people are registered.

Date:

Coax magic from the landscape in this 5-hour immersive intensive.

In this workshop, we move beyond the surface to explore the hidden chemistry of the natural world. We’ll tap into the elements of rust, moisture, pressure, and heat to transfer naturally occurring plant pigments directly onto pre-treated papers. You will learn the art of bundling for the dye pot and the essential science of mordanting: preparing fibers to permanently hold the ghost-prints of the plants we gather.

While our bundles simmer, we’ll shift our focus to the rhythmic practice of botanical papermaking. Using a simple, low-water method, you will transform prepared plant fiber pulp into highly textured art papers that carry the spirit of the "residual harvest."

What You’ll Create & Take Home:

5 Ecoprints on 6 x 6 Watercolor Paper: These high-quality prints can be framed individually or mounted together in expressive groupings.
5 Sheets of 6 x 6 Handmade Botanical Paper: Textured, organic sheets that stand alone as finished works or serve as a rich foundation for collage.
5 Ecoprinted Collage Papers: Specialized prints on delicate rice paper or repurposed book pages, designed specifically to be incorporated into mixed-media projects.
Instructions & Resources: A guide to help you replicate the "alchemy" in your own creative space.

Registration Details

Investment: $165 per student (Includes all specialized mordants, watercolor papers, botanical fibers, and take-home resources).
Location: Private, outdoor covered studio, Citrus Heights, CA.

Dates

Friday May 22, noon to 5 pm
Saturday May 30, 9 am to 2 pm
Friday October 23, noon to 5 pm
Saturday November 21, 9 am to 2 pm

Class Size

Limited to 6 participants; not suitable for children. Workshop may be canceled with 2 days’ notice and full refund if fewer than 3 people are registered.

You'll print a 14 X 60 inch silk crepe de chine scarf using Eucalyptus, Rose, Cotinus and Blackberry leaves along with onion skins. These botanicals produce beautiful prints of purple and red-orange on a brown/black background. You’ll also create ecoprints on watercolor paper using Fall leaves that have fully developed their tannins. I'll provide a list of 'good printers' in advance so you can gather your own materials if you'd like, though I will have enough for everyone.

Because of the lengthy processing time to achieve vibrant colors with this process, you'll return the following day when we'll unbundle our prints and rinse our scarves. You'll take home at least 4 prints on paper and a beautiful luxurious one-of-a-kind scarf, co-created by nature and you! If the pickup session doesn’t fit with your schedule, we can coordinate another time, so please don’t let that stop you from registering for this workshop.