Over the past several months I have been quietly focused, taking advantage of time to work on an amazing FIBRE ARTS’ TAKE TWO online course with UK Artist/Instructor CLAIRE BENN. Knowing the amazing artistry created by Claire, I wanted to take the steps needed to register into her UK workshops world, learning from her teaching, and guidance. I enjoyed committing time to the project.
Spring 2023 weeks slipped by as I planned this piece of art play and collected my many small jars of earth pigments, and packages of soybeans to be ground in a blender, siphoned, and used to develop the soy milk that would be painted onto linen cloth. Working with earth pigment prints happened slowly under Claire’s guidance. I also collected linen cloth and tools over time from MAIWA in British Columbia and India for the base cloth for my work.
It may look simple, but the basics took a long time. Commitment to MAKING and understanding this deeply interesting and really concentrated ‘change of pace’ as an all-new technique took over days and
evenings as I studied the weekly directions, videos, and great tutorials from Claire, and thankfully, I managed to finish the cloth for this post. I want the cloth created to speak alone.
Simple fine stitching using silk thread has added some of the stitching that covers this art piece. I am still pondering and may add additional stitches, or perhaps the piece is really DONE. I loved every minute of the adventure, and have many concise recipes for the use of earth pigments to create printed cloth and I intend to consider my focus as design play for more shared work.
One important thought as this piece arrives today for sharing: I LEARNED so much as I took this turn in my fibre art focus, and as I think about the changing pathway for Round 4, will make time to consider a series for my next 11 quilts, and celebrate the finish.
Bethany Garner
28”w x 40”h
Materials: 100% Linen, Earth pigments, soybean paste, and silk thread
Technique: Use of soybean milk binder, earth pigments, sizing, and awaited curing – 4 weeks
A very intriguing piece! I took a week long workshop with Claire at the Crow Barn. I tried it for a few months but have decided to stick with dyeing with MX dyes. I would be glad to pass on the soybeans and earth pigments I collected. Any chance you’re coming to the Berkshires?
Wow, what a change of pace! I’ve heard of soy milk as a part of eco-dying, but seeing your finished quilt is a little wonder of nature. I wish I could see it in person.
Wow, painting with soy beans?!
The soy beans are blended/shell strained into SOY MILK which holds the Earth Pigments to the cloth for the development of gorgeous, deep and delicious cloth. It is an adventure for sure. Magic really!