Simple things

Quote

“Learn to like what doesn’t cost much.
Learn to like reading, conversation, music.
Learn to like plain food, plain service, plain cooking.
Learn to like fields, trees, brooks, hiking, rowing, climbing hills.
Learn to like people even though some of them may be different… Different from you.
Learn to like to work and the satisfaction doing your job as well as it can be done.
Learn to like the song of birds, the companionship of dogs.
Learn to like gardening, puttering around the house, and fixing things.
Learn to like the sunrise and sunset, the beating of rain on the roof and windows, and the gentle fall of snow on a winter day.
Learn to keep your wants simple and refuse to be controlled by the likes and dislikes of others.”

-Lowell C. Bennion

Traylor ranch bird sanctuary and nature reserve

"oh, there"

Coyote scat

Orchids

Coleman Beach

Mushroom(s)

Found these mushrooms among crunchy, brown oak leaves. Don't know what species they are. They were so bright reddish orange on the first day, they are beginning to fade. I wonder if they're edible or could make good dye bath.

Light III

Paint & Print

I went to the Print & Paint workshop on Sunday, hosted by Judi Pettite who is an amazing artist, pigment specialist, educator and curator. Judi has been researching about plants and natural pigments and incorporates earth pigments in her work. We worked with indigo, black walnut, madder, and logwood.  In the workshop we touched a little bit about the history of the pigments/dyes. Judi explained the process of making pigments and preparing them to paint/draw. Then we moved on to prepare paint and ink from the dried pigments for drawing and printing. Below are some images of the workshop:

Indigo is being prepared

Indigo

Jessica trying to make paint 

Walnut 

Learners watching Judi 

Ink ready to be used

Judi's color chart of bio hues 

The print I made with walnut ink

Printed with indigo

Precious things I

In August 2012 Kate Fletcher of Local Wisdom invited people to share the story of a garment or wearable that is special to them. There were two sessions in the San Francisco bay area. I had to pick one garment for the project, which was hard. On the very day of the shoot, I decided to wear one of my favorite handmade kurta. I have been wearing it for more than six years. It has faded a little bit over the time. It was purchased   at a lovely textile boutique in Colombo owned by an Indian lady. The kurta has kalamkari work all over it and is dyed with plant dyes. This kurta makes me happy, calm, and composed every time I wear it.  

Photo by: Paige Green

A few precious items from Fabindia: