For Sunday Visit, Botanical Colors sits down for an interview with a luminary in the natural dye, textile and art world. This week we visit with the inimitable Kristin Field of Field & Gardener who has an upcoming workshop with us! Grab a cup of tea and settle in to learn about someone you never knew! Catch up on all our Sunday Visits here.
We are huge admirers of your Shibori bursts, can you tell us about how this process originated for you?
Thank you so much! When I first learned about capping, the thought of putting an ecoprint in the center of a capped indigo dyed piece just popped into my head! Like a lot of things, it took me almost a year to actually give it a try, but I still remember the night I finished my first coreopsis burst piece. From there the designs evolved as I learned new stitch shibori techniques and experimented with other background dyes.
Tell us a little bit about the how and why you starting gardening? Did it come before natural dyeing or was it the other way around?
Gardening and plants came first! I started gardening when I was very young thanks to my mom, who is one of the best gardeners I know. My mom’s mom, my Grandma Gardner (thus Field & Gardner), was also a wonderful gardener and source of inspiration.
I kind of just stopped gardening as I got older, but I had a renewed interest in my 20s. I became a Master Gardener with the University of Illinois Extension program in 2015, became a TreeKeeper with a local organization here in Chicago called Openlands, and worked at a large public plant conservatory for almost 6 years before leaving that job about a year ago for a 9-month artist residency. I love learning everything about a plant’s biology, history, and traditions, so I found natural dyeing through that curiosity.
What would you tell little you?
Stay curious and be weird!
Do you have any creative outlets outside of natural dyes?
I’m always looking to learn new skills and expand my practice! This summer I started weaving at The Chicago Weaving School with Natalie Boyett and papermaking with my friend and Chicago artist, Molly Berkson. I also enjoy creating flower arrangements for friends and family with flowers we grow in our garden.
You’re in Grad school now, tell us about your new practice?
I will be pursuing an MFA in Fiber and Material Studies starting at the end of August! One of the classes I’m most excited for this semester is a BioArt Studio. I love learning about science, the universe, black holes, etc., and I’m excited to continue exploring these themes in my work.
