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WORKSHOP INFO
Learn about the basics of making inks from plants.
Join Ottawa-based visual artist Wendy Feldberg for a special workshop introducing you to botanical ink making. In a fun and collaborative environment, you’ll explore sustainable methods to create natural ink derived from plants, discuss native species ideal for ink making, and receive an overview of the process from foraging plants to extracting pigments to using ink for various paper and fabric projects.
You’ll then explore the rich qualities of the inks by mixing and playing with various colours and how they interact with types of papers.
LENGTH: 2.5 hours
WHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAY
Knowledge of plants, including those native to the Ottawa region, from which you can make botanical inks.
Knowledge of the process of making botanical inks
Your own set of ink experiments on various art papers
Your own handmade portfolio using bookbinding techniques to hold your experiments
A mini-botanical ink kit, with various art papers and bottle of indigo ink to take home
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Pen/pencil
Paper
Selection of small to medium paint brushes for swatching inks
Other papers of your choice to experiment with
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Ideal for any level, including beginners, those who want a refresher, those looking to experiment with various natural inks, individuals interested in environmentally friendly art-making practices, or creatives who would like to add a new skill to their current skill set.
ARTIST FACILITATOR
Wendy Feldberg is an Ottawa-based artist who is passionate about sharing her vast expertise of natural ink making with others.
“I live in Ottawa, Ontario, in the boreal eco zone. I create painted, printed and stitched art textiles, papers and artist books on mostly botanical themes. I am always inspired by the beautiful landscapes and plant life, both wild and cultivated, of this rugged region of Canada.
Working with nature as a gardener and as an artist is one of my life’s chief constants and consolations. My printed and stitched textiles and papers, like scrolls, become botanical records of plants and their environments in every season.
My basic method is to print and stitch on textiles and papers, embroidering by hand and machine. My intention is to build up layers of coloured marks to express feeling and concept with line, colour and texture.
As well as painting marks on substrates with acrylics or natural dyes, I use eco printing, a monotype process that applies pigments from plants, soils and minerals directly from plants onto natural fibers.
Printing and dyeing with native plants from my garden and foraged from the local environment have become my special interest.
I publish internationally about eco printing, give occasional classes and presentations and document all aspects of my art adventures on my blog Threadborne.”
WORKSHOP FEE
To make this workshop as accessible as possible and to increase opportunities for those who have historically been underrepresented in the arts, we're offering different options of participation fees. The amount you choose to pay goes to our facilitators and operating the space.
Option 1: $80 CAD
Access to the full in-person workshop
Mini-portfolio with your own ink experiments on various art papers
A mini-botanical ink kit, to take home, with various art papers and bottle of indigo ink
Handout on how to use botanical inks on paper and textiles (emailed)
Option 2: $65 CAD
We are offering a reduced rate for 2 spots per workshop to those who self-identify as Indigenous, Black, Asian or a person of colour; or as a person with disabilities; or as two-spirit, transgender or gender non-conforming.
Access to the full in-person workshop
Mini-portfolio with your own ink experiments on various art papers
A mini-botanical ink kit, to take home, with various art papers and bottle of indigo ink
Handout on how to use botanical inks on paper and textiles (emailed)
NEXT STEPS
After you register, you'll get an email confirming your payment and therefore your registration.
Look out for a second e-mail from us, approximately 1-2 days before the workshop, reminding you about the upcoming workshop + important preparation information (make sure to check your spam/junk folder). If you do not receive this second e-mail, don't hesitate to e-mail us indicating so.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Limited to 8 people maximum per workshop. Participants must remain masked during the entire workshop.
TERMS OF SERVICE AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Spots are non-refundable. By purchasing a spot or having someone purchase a spot for you, you also agree to our terms of service and cancellation policy.
Please note – You must be 18 years or older to take part in a workshop. If you wish to enroll someone under 18 years old please contact our studio to discuss.
GROUP BOOKINGS OR PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
Dates don’t fit your schedule? Want to organize a group workshop? Prefer to learn one-on-one? Contact us.