I could have gone in many different directions with this prompt. Eventually, I decided to go with a technique that I have worked on for the last several years – my nature prints.

The connection to nature is so important for humans, for our physical and mental health. Doctors in Canada can now prescribe free passes to national parks for patients who would benefit from more time in nature. This is used for people with diabetes, heart disease, or mental illnesses, among other conditions. We have to connect with nature and get immersed in natural surroundings for our well-being. It’s kind of sad that people don’t know that enough, or don’t have the ability to be outdoors and in nature more often.

I have compiled a number of my printed fabrics that are done with actual plant material on a gelatin printing plate. The results are often surprising, and I love the level of detail and the serendipity that happens with this kind of printing. My selection of prints ended up looking very much like spring, with fresh and light colours.

Here you see a little sneak peek at some of the fabrics. I haven’t gotten to the stitching stage yet. The reveal is in two weeks, come back to see the result!