The Dalles Art Center - Art Classes - Botanical Printing

Join fiber artist Kathy O'Hern in this introduction to the technique of Botanical Printing, also called “ECO-Dyeing”. Certain leaves and flowers, which you will learn about, contain properties that allow their image to be permanently transferred to another material - such as cotton, silk, wool, paper, leather, or other various textiles. This occurs through a process that includes moisture, heat, and time.

After an introduction and demonstration, each participant will prepare a design of their own on a prepared silk scarf. You will “bundle” your scarf to prepare it for heating. While the bundles are steaming for 90 minutes, you will be introduced to the process of printing on watercolor paper. Those taking this workshop will learn the basics of botanical printing, and take home a printed silk scarf and a few paper samples.

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. An apron is helpful to keep clothes from getting stained.

Instructor Bio: Kathy O’Hern, is a fiber artist and gardener who has lived in The Dalles since 2014. She is a hand weaver and natural dyer. Kathy learned the Botanical Printing technique in 2016 while at a weaving conference in Kalispell, MT. Since then she has both attended, and taught, several workshops on the subject.