WHY NATURAL INK?
As my process of creating art became more and more environmentally conscious, I began the task of realigning my choices of mediums and methods with my values.
As nature, plants and the little details of the world around me were already a source of interest, it was simple enough to find the inspiration to start exploring the world of natural pigments and inkmaking. With the help of a bit of research, a lot of imagination and hours of trial and error, my palette of colourful natural inks grew bigger and bigger.
The rich and fulfilling experience of accompanying my creations from beginning to end was a beautiful discovery. From picking the elderberries, to preparing them, creating the ink, bottling it, painting with it, and watching the colours evolve as the ink dries and time goes by- no process is more satisfying.
Transforming
Exploring
Foraging
Soaking, blending, boiling, filtering and playing with quantities and ingredients. Gum arabic, maybe a bit of salt, and- the last step- a whole clove to keep the mold away.
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Sometimes it’s picking berries off of bushes in the fall, or gathering nuts, or looking for old bits of copper tubing, or forgotten pieces of drywall. Sometimes it’s exploring the tea or spice cupboard at home. Sometimes it’s simply taking a walk and being aware of the little things. The things that could surprise you.
How does the ink spread across paper, how do the colours mix? How to play with textures and lines, how to guide the ink and work with it as a team. For the ink is alive, and it occasionally seems to have a mind of its own.