TECHNIQUES
I make a point of using only my own dyed fabrics in my wall art. I usually start out with white cotton broadcloth fabric, hemp silk or upcycled fabrics. I employ Procion MX fiber reactive dyes for various techniques: hand painting, monoprinting, screen printing, resist or immersion dyeing. For some, I also apply matte medium and paint with India ink. The fabrics are assembled and stitched. Most of my works are fairly large in scale. Mixed media works vary in size and technique.
During the Pandemic, I established my outdoor community indigo vat, inviting two local artists at a time to try samples over a two hour period. It has been a wonderful way to safely connect with other people and spend time exploring. On days we were not gathering as a community, I did my own personal work. Over two years, 45 people participated; INDIGO! , the group exhibition which I curated, at Public Space One, Iowa City, IA, featured 12 artists using diverse media from the project. I also did a residency at Constellation Studios (Lincoln, NE), establishing a community indigo vat and exploring personal work in Mokuhanga, wood block printing.
Exploring indigo also allowed me to see how I might incorporate more sustainable natural dyeing into my own work in a way that fits in with the visual language I use. In 2022, I continued with a deep dive into natural dyes, including mordant printing, and using purchased and foraged materials from my neighborhood, garden and beyond. Community indigo and other dyeing experiments are documented on my Instagram feed, astridhbennett.
RESOURCES
My Suppliers: TestFabrics, Dharma Trading Co., ProChemical & Dye, Botanical Colors (Natural Dyes), Maiwa (Natural Dyes)
Important organizations: Surface Design Association, Studio Art Quilt Associates, Textile Society of America, World Shibori Network, European Textile Network, American Craft Council
Important places to study or gather: Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Penland School of Crafts, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Textile Center of Minnesota
MONOPRINTING & PAINTING FABRIC
I steam my fabrics for best results. My improvised home steamer works easily to process up to 3 yards of fabric at one time, wrapped in Pelon interfacing bundles. Learn more here.
