Natural and Medicinal Dye Workshop with Porfirio Gutierrez

 Like a dream, the day arrived in southern California, Ventura to be exact, when we gathered to begin our journey into the magic of creating color using natural medicinal dye plants. We met at Maestro Porfirio Gutierrez's studio. The following four days immersed us in the dye processes and cultural significance of Zapotec medicinal plants.  In the workshop we explored three elements used for medicine and for dyes; Yashi (common English name: mule fat), cochineal insects and pericon.

Through work, stories, and laughter shared, the group became a community onto our selves.  A shout out to Botanical Colors for hosting the workshop, to Maestro Porfirio Gutierrez and family for inviting us into to their lives, and to fellow participants for openly sharing their unique selves and diverse skill sets.  The culmination our time together was a Zapotec healing ceremony given by a healer on sacred ground in Ojai, CA.  

The four day workshop/retreat gave me new knowledge. I took away a thankful heart, more hope for our future, and a better understanding to our connection to nature and to each other.  "There is no them. There is only us." - Adia Millett ~ artist.

Steel Vat - Cochineal

Iron Vat - Ashi

Stainless Steel Vat - Ahsi

Wool yarn dyed

Traditional Weavings - Maestro Porfirio Gutierrez

Ventura Studio - Maestro Porfirio Gutierrez

 

Healing Ceremony ~ Ojai, CA

Maestro Porfirio Gutierrez's studio in Ventura, CA is open by appointment.  It is worth a visit.  There you can see more of his creative work.

Art Work Still Traveling in the New Year ~ 2022

 

 Happy New Year ... I wonder how accurate this sentiment fits the year 2022. I wonder where we find ourselves collectively in the world of health, politics and general well being. My hope is for more face time with friends and family, more safe travels, more garden experiments, more walks in nature, more shared creative moments. 

News in the new year includes the continued showing of my piece, Enso 2, now in a very cool Virtual Gallery at the Sanchez Art Center website. Web address: https://www.sanchezartcentervirtualgalleries.org/works Enso 2 link is on line. This collection of works is being shown in person in the Sanchez Art Center East Gallery, Pacifica, CA from January 21 to February 13, 2022.

From Barbara Kibbe, Chair, Regional Exhibitions Committee SAQA Northern California/Northern Nevada:

"A very fun feature of the website is that when one is in the virtual gallery, click the "more info" below each artwork. That pulls up additional info about each work. AND, by clicking "room" to the right under each image, one can see what the piece would look like up on an imaginary wall in a number of different (generic) settings."

 

Closer to home I continue to find solace in working with fabric and growing new plants in the garden.  

One completed piece which is entered into this year's Desert Quilters quilt show is called Steps.  It is made using commercial cottons, is machine pieced and hand quilted with #8 size cotton embroidery thread.  The challenge was to create a different hand sewn designs for each block, non of which were pre-planned.  

 

While Steps is a more traditional piece than I usually create, I totally enjoyed designing the block inspired by a vintage woven textile.  Hand stitching was equally fun ... exploring how stitch patterns create defining lines and textures in each block.

Step - back side

Steps - 40 by 48 inches - 2021

Steps - detail of hand stitch

A self selected challenge for 2021 was to use up vintage kimono fabrics and stitch an improvisational block a day for thirty days.  As construction progressed contemporary cottons were included. Thirty six inch completed blocks did not make enough to constitute much of anything.  So more blocks were made and added to the original thirty blocks. Incorporating a different size, the 12 inch block, balanced the quilt design.  Overall, I am happy with the results.

Bento Box - 60 by 84

Bento Box - Detail of six inch blocks

 

I hope this post finds you healthy and happy and always creative! Sending out all my best wishes in the New Year!