Fabric prints from bounty of nature 大自然之靈感印染

 

What do you think this? My belief is "less is more". 

Just a few pine lines and euc leaves to make this natural prints on silk.  I made this sample  for the upcoming workshops.

 How about this?  Simple layout of leaves printed on wool blend with shades.

 My friends asked how come I have the time or energy to do lots of creations while I spend some days weekly in hiking and biking. 

Well, I'm too addicted or the passion drives me crazy.  Indeed when I do outdoor activities particularly nature related, my mind is full of ideas and inspiration.

Just last hiking on Lamma Island we went up from one bay to the other with stunning views.

 Within 3 hours easy trails walk, we're on the top........

 with the view of Hong Kong Island.

 The strange looks of rocks are naturally stacked.  This looks like a dog.

 While I passed by the casaurina trees on the island, to my surprise the pine lines are so long as 80cm which I've never seen.  It must be a good find for natural prints.

 Other than hiking I got inspiration with the energetic biking team.  We biked along the sea coast for 50km today.

 Tired?  No, today's weather was fine for the long ride.

 

The panoramic view is gorgeous.

  A bike and boat ride is leisure.  What's more? Wow, found the eucalyptus blown off.  Can't resist to take home for the experiments.

 I recalled my last visit to a friend in Tuscany, Italy.  She lives in the brilliant region with the lined cypress.  Such picturesque view!

 With the ideas of the beautiful nature, just a little pine needles and assorted leaves, I made the placement for the prints on fabrics.

 Here's the outcome.  My simple natural prints on silk.

 

 Layout from the inspiration of Tuscany cypress

Such bounty from nature. 

This is the simple and  basic natural contact prints skills on wool blend.

Want to do this?  My ETSY instant download pdf file has the step-by-step tutorial.

Good time with good friends for the inspiring creation

Friends are friends who bring me happiness and inspiration as well fun sharing. My wool felt artist teacher Nicola Brown and her sister Suzanne from Ireland last week visited Hong Kong. We're delighted to spend some time to show our honorable guests around.  Wonderful that Nicola spotted the special bush in the area I've never seen the plant  before.  I picked a few for eco print experiment.   It works fantastic!
藉著愛爾蘭老師Nicola Brown到訪, 這幾天我們在天朗氣清下悠遊港九,新界與離島, 在新界北Nicola 更發掘了我一直想找尋的蓖麻葉, 我急不及待與友人在星期天分享寶物做植物印染實驗,

We're spoiled and lots to play with Nicola's beautiful gifts.  See.....Mogi's anxious to unbundle the gifts.

 During the days of Nicola's visit we have been to the Peak for the panoramic view of the harbour.

With my friend Florence to Lamma Island for trail walk from one bay to the other. Along we saw some plants and the casaurina was good for our eco prints.

 From the Peak to the sea, the next day we drove to Sai Kung passing by the yacht club. Colorful sampans lining up in the tranquil bay.

 

Stopped by Sai O ..........  strolling with a guy playing saxophone behind.....

 

A sunny and warm day it was ! We're heading to the north New Territories along coastal  Sai Kung to Shatin, Taipo then Lok Ma Chau.

 At Lok Ma Chau Lookout, only a short distance China is in the sight.

 Nicola's so familiar with plants. She spotted the special bush in the north while we're almost leaving the car park. Glad to find a few for home experiment together with the eucalyptus picked on the ground in flower market. I was so eager to do the testing that night.
Outcome is gorgeous !

 The past Sunday we have fun sharing of eco-printing with Florence and Grace.

We did placement on silk scarf with the found leaf, casaurina, euc, rose leaves and onion skins......

  Winter Sweet  (腊梅) and Grevillea Robusta (銀華) for paper prints on the watercolor paper Nicola gave me.

 Time to opening is always the exciting moment

 Such clear prints

 Grace's happy with her scarf placement

 The large and bold prints

 Florence said this looks like my "style" prints.

 We done on light silk chiffon for the scarf

 

We tried on silk jersey with sorts of euc and onion bath with alum

 

We have a nice time on the Sunday afternoon playing with natural prints......

 with the soft and tasting home made cake from Florence....
we're full......

 My eager experiment with good outcome

 

Thanks for Nicola's visiting.

Her visit in Hong Kong from the south in Lamma Island to the North Sha Tau Kok made us a good chance to see the stunning Hong Kong too.  Visitors are always impressed with our greenery just a stone-throw from the urban. 

 

The two years wool felting extravagance I attended in Portugal by Nicola were amazing. Ireland is the country on my wish list. If I were not already engaged this summer I must join the upcoming workshop by Nicola Brown in her country the 10-day luxurious residental retreat "Felting & Eco Printing in Ireland"  between 15 - 25 July 2016. 

Natural printed artbook making 手作小本子

 

Nowadays in the digital era, wondering if people still like to make notes or write diary on paper. Since encountered botanical imprints and wool felt, I'm really into such artwork. Making art journal is a pretty creation. This artbook pages are made with abundant envelope papers and printed with windfalls around my area.

當今數碼年代, 還有多少人喜用紙質筆記部? 親手做一本有葉子印染, 自己釘裝的小本子, 用以記載旅途點滴是我明日遠行去以色列交流的行裝之一.

  

Pages are mixed with light prints of rose leaves and blank pages for writing.  In between inserted with nice prints to have some pages outstanding.  The clear outlines due to iron mordant.

 

Nuno felt cover textures inspired by waves of our beach.

 

Extract of making.

After making the nuno felt cover with wool & silk fabric of own printed leaves, I inserted some  printed and some blank pages to make a few signatures.  Made the holes and coptic binded.

 

Finished  with glass beads embellished

 

Inside cover, first page..... last page... 

 

Completed with the local coral, tied with Teeswater raw fleece

 

A secret book or whatever it serves

 

Art journal for my next tripl.  

 

Travels from here the South China Sea to the other continent. A walk in the beach of Mediterranean?  Dead Sea or Galille?

 

Last week I went to Lamma Island for shots.  My foreign bloggers may not know  we have such tranquil views other than the fascinating urban.

 

The girl found my journal unique and admired the pages of prints while I took the shots

 

Today I'm on the beautiful beaches and greenery of Hong Kong, tomorrow I'll be in the Mediterranean walking on the promising land of Israel, for workshops, interaction and meeting friends.

 

 I'll be back with new creation.  Lots to share.

Until next time.

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