kathy Hattori Archives - Page 5 of 26

FEEDBACK FRIDAY: In Baltimore’s Blue Light Junction Studio With Kenya Miles

Our last FEEDBACK FRIDAY was with Kenya Miles. Kenya is the artist and alchemist behind Traveling Miles Studio and founder of Blue Light Junction, a natural dye studio, alternative color lab, retail space, dye garden and educational facility in central Baltimore. In January 2022 Blue Light Junction opened its inaugural Ibura Art & Research Residency to support 6 individuals investigation and praxis in botanical color and medicine. Founded by textile artist, farmer, and natural dye practitioner Kenya Miles, Blue Light Junction focuses on growing, processing, and preserving the history of natural dyes and their artistic, practical, and commercial applications. Watch the … Read more

VIDEO From FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Jason Logan of Toronto Ink Company

Last week on FEEDBACK FRIDAY we had Jason Logan, Founder of The Toronto Ink Company. Jason looked at the many layers of meaning that ink can be and how that definition relates to the larger world of natural color and finding color in unlikely places. He also talked about working in, and with, and as a part of nature as an urban color forager. We also got to see some great sneak peeks of a film he is working on. Watch the recording below. Jason says: “Most importantly, this hour aims to embrace the opportunity to get a bunch of … Read more

Video From Live FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Artist Yasuna Iman

Our last FEEDBACK FRIDAY we had artist Yasuna Iman who uses art as a vessel for reflection. Based in Berlin, Yasuna (b.1995) is a multidisciplinary artist developing a visual abstract language on natural paper and wood, using handmade botanical pigments, rust, plants, and other raw materials sourced in the natural world. Yasuna says “We can learn to embrace our own fragility and fleetingness in the same way we are accustomed to celebrating them in the natural world.” Watch the video here: Links to connect with Yasuna: Website Mailing list sign-up Spotify profile with monthly playlists, music that inspires her work … Read more

Q & A: Round Up of Scouring + Mordanting 101

Mordanting and scouring should be at the top of your things-to-do list before natural dyeing. Botanical Colors Founder Kathy Hattori recently took on as many questions as was humanly possible to clarify the processes. Before reading, also please see our How-To Scour and How-To Mordant pages. Scouring Questions If I use untreated and unbleached fabric, is it a must to scour the fabric or is washing it enough? If you mean by “untreated” that it has never been scoured, then you should scour. If untreated and unbleached means it is also prepared for dyeing (PFD or RFD), then you can … Read more

Video From Live FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Making Green With Natural Dyes

This week on FEEDBACK FRIDAY we had Botanical Colors President Kathy Hattori show us how to make green with natural dyes. Using powdered fustic, weld, and as Kathy calls it, “a new crazy chlorophyll mixture,” she showed the versatility of our dyes to achieve colors maybe you’ve only dreamed of. Watch the video here: Recipes and suggestions -Dye mordanted wool and silk fibers in 10% fustic, then transfer to another dye bath with 10% Saxon Blue to get a vivid lime green -Dye mordanted cotton or linen fibers in 10% fustic, then transfer to another dye bath with 0.5% iron … Read more

Video From Live FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Around the World in 80 Fabrics

Our last FEEDBACK FRIDAY was with National Geographic Explorers Tierney Thys (a marine conservationist), Carroll Dunham (a medical anthropologist), and Lesli Robertson (a textile educator/consultant) for “Around the World in 80 Fabrics.” The three shared their discoveries of fabrics from nature through their project, Around the World in 80 Fabrics – from natural dyes used in Bhutanses textiles, to clay-dyed barkcloth of Uganda, and cutting edge dyes and fabrics from algae. Watch the video recording below. Project: Web, www.atw80fabrics.org IG, @atw80fabrics Newsletter signup, HERE Support the project HERE ABOUT: With every wash, hundreds of thousands of microplastics shed off our … Read more

Video From Live FEEDBACK FRIDAY: (All Things Indigo) With Britt Boles of Seaspell Fiber

Our last FEEDBACK FRIDAY was with “indigo doula,” yes, that’s what we all call her, Britt Boles, founder of Seaspell Fiber and the super popular Indigo Pigment Extraction Methods group on Facebook. Britt shared lots of exciting and helpful information on the nuances of growing/vatting homegrown pigment vs commercial pigment and showcased her recycled plastic clamp resists we are now selling! Shop all Botanical Colors indigo products here. Watch the video here. Additional topics and products Britt talked about: -The Blue Biographies series -Intuitive Indigo E-course -The Seaspell Fiber Vat Table, 4’ x 2.5’ equipped with power– Inquire for custom … Read more

Video From LIVE FEEDBACK FRIDAY: The Color Association of the U.S. (+ Aboubakar Fofana Trunk Show!)

Last week, we had The Color Association of the U.S. (CAUS) plus an Aboubakar Fofana trunk show! Leslie Harrington, Executive Director of CAUS and Tess Murdoch, Senior Trend Analyst gave us some background history on CAUS and talked about how forecasting is changing and also, how they just launched their very first natural dye collection with Botanical Colors as part of the 2022/2023 color forecast! We also get some usually members-only access to some of their exciting historical colors spanning over 100 years. If you are interested in having access to the CAUS site, that includes access to the CAUS … Read more

Video From LIVE FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Seaweed Sculptor Jeannet Leendertse

Last week on FEEDBACK FRIDAY, we were so fortunate to have Maine-based seaweed sculptor Jeannet Leendertse. Jeannet uses seaweed to create structural forms inspired by the rugged coast of Maine’s landscape. Natural colors from the seaweed take front and center as does a closer look at carbon sequestration and our oceans. How are you using your art to spotlight climate change and other environmental issues? Watch the video here. Jeannet’s website Jeannet’s Instagram …and groups that Jeannet talked about during her presentation: Rockweed Coalition Future Materials Bank Steinbeisser Other interesting seaweed artists including Violin Buet, the French seaweed weaver About … Read more

Video From LIVE FEEDBACK FRIDAY: Indigo & Oak (+Stony Creek Colors!)

Last week on FEEDBACK FRIDAY we had Molly Roškar of Indigo & Oak and Sarah Bellos from Stony Creek Colors. Molly talked about color on a medium we don’t always consider, wood. She addressed the way natural dye and different finishes become lenses through which we can see and interact with this particular fiber. A new lens for sure. We also had Stony Creek Colors who introduced their newest product IndiGold™, the world’s first pre-reduced liquid natural indigo dye and demonstrated how a completely hydro-free vat made with 100% plant-based indigo can be created instantly and ready for use. They … Read more