One of my favourite pursuits is exploring textile crafts. I have always loved making things and experimenting with fabric and yarn. In recent years I have developed a strong botanical printing and ecodyeing practice. It is such a fascinating process, building on knowledge from across various cultures and traditions.
Botanical printing is a sustainable dyeing process that uses small amounts of natural plant materials mostly gleaned from eucalypts and other indigenous plants, grasses and seed pods and small volumes of water. I choose to use natural textiles in my work and in my practice I am very conscious of sustainability and being kind to the environment.
My original ecodyed artworks are created here at our farm - Dalmarra - in the Victorian Surfcoast hinterland.
Using nature's gifts of leaves and other botanical material, I concoct my dye pot brews from various tree barks and rusty water. My textile preferences are all natural - silk, wool, cotton, linen and paper. I often enjoy using recycled textiles such as wool blankets, vintage silk from Japanese kimonos, cotton sheets and linen shirts, particularly enjoying the process of producing unique new creations.
The magic takes place when my chosen leaves and petals, grasses and seedpods are carefully arranged on the textiles, bundled and boiled.
Every one of my botanical printed ecodyed items is an original work of art. No two pieces can ever be the same. Each one is an exquisite whisper of the transience of nature, the shifting seasons, and the beauty that surrounds us.
My artworks are favoured by those who love nature, fine textiles and respect the practice of this sustainable textile art.
My studio gallery at Dalmarra farm.
Each item honours and whispers the intrinsic beauty of leaves.
I do take orders and commissions, and welcome visitors to my studio by appointment (please contact me by email at janetbrown.m@gmail.com) or on planned 'Open Studio' days.
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