Eco prints master inspiration 遠道而來的植物印染啟發

 

A bag full of plants and inspiration as well friendship from master Irit Dulman who stopped over Hong Kong early this month after workshops in Australia. Irit is my most respectful master whom we know for years.  Her visit just in good time of the year in term of weather and season of plants.  Though only a few days stay we spent some time in rural and urban.  While we're in suburb she spotted some weeds which I didn't take note even found on the slope of my urban apartment.  She has marvelous expertise in botanical printing. We got some weeds and played around on fabrics and leather.  She taught me more ideas of eco printing and done a few experiments.  It's fun to discover in our region those plants I almost ignored give such pretty prints.  Now my mind opened and tried to work more with the weeds.  Good combination on different fabrics or leather with appropriate mordant. 

我的以色列啟蒙大師 Irit Dulman 最近來港，我們相聚之餘，一起硏究天然植物印染，她慧眼在郊野發

現的野草，近在我家居山坡上的植物原來可以不同的媒染處理做出不一樣的效果。尤其狗尾草的形態印染及牡荊的強烈色素使我不斷試驗，如今更多點子了。

Our first stop in the village water front

Up to the hill for a close look of China boundary.  The high rises are in China while the agricultural lands are Hong Kong part.

We spared sometime to do experiment with Mogi around.

on fabrics

then leather

The weeds wonderful prints on leather and silk.....

Layout and outcome

   

Even the tiny flowers of the weeds printed so delicate. 

A piece of leather prints made into a purse.

  

Other printed panels I sewed into small tote bags.  Just like the fine prints on rayon.

With Irit's generous hints I printed other silk panels with shades.

Irit's discovery of weeds, one of it is this pretty Pennisetum I found growing in the ditches while doing biking.

Can't resist the experiment, such strong prints and discharge of leaves on rayon, linen and silk with different mordant.

Pennisetum is one of my fav. weed.  I like the shape. It prints unique on leather too.

Glad to know it and found it.

Do with passion you will reach 投以熱誠的作為

， 

 "Mogi, what are you expecting? "

"I've a dream, I want to travel, I want to spread, I want to share my passion!"

These days weather was not good.  Sometimes thunder storms sometimes showers.  Whenever possible I like to do biking, not only for exercise but also for my creation experiments.  Seasonal plants yell different outcome.  Now is May but I can't find the flowers I used to do last year.  Anyway I'd like to try any sorts.

法國五月，好浪漫的情懷！這個五月香港天氣陰晴不定，這日趁無雨又去郊外踩車，為的是尋找那些葡萄葉，踏在小路上左右的植物盡是我的獵物，抬頭一看那晶透欲滴如翡翠的葡萄，園主我不會偷摘，請給我採4片葉子好了。為的就是繼續圓我的夢，拈來路過明友家及農莊植物一小把，出城與我年輕時同學Heidi茶聚，正巧商埸庭園佈置主題「小法國」，我兩不期然懷念那年同遊南法普羅旺斯居在山城Brigitte 家中，我也正正在這夏再訪法國波爾多酒區交流創作，因此必然要與南法好友 Brigitte 共聚。

回到家裡晚上急不及待做了實驗，Mogi 踏上掌印！通過合格測試，然仍有很多待續，下周有海外學生來上課，備課是應有的態度。 

On the day rain stopped I was biking in the rural

 just a mile away from my rural studio, the traditional village houses

 then crossed over the footbridge

 

I'm heading to the mountain foot

 I'm in a leisure ride but inserts are busy for their life on the melon flower

 butterfly is too tired, taking a break

 

Onward and onward along the path .......got some leaves 

 

fishing ponds in the village form the beautiful tranquility

 indeed the grapes leaves are my aim to pick.  a fruitful season is expected

 next to the fence of the grapes are eucualyptus.  not to miss it I picked some

 

also blooming overhead are these flowers.  I'm not sure the name.

 

It's only a short ride this morning as I've lunch appointment with my salad days mate Heidi.

 

We known each other since in teenage.  Though not seen quite often we miss each other a lot.  Our lunch was in a mall where just themed "La petitte France" .  We both have a passion about France and have been together to Provence some years ago.  Amid this flowery mall we took some shots and reminisced our good days in Brigitte's house and the fruitful grapes overhead when the balcony door opened.

 

After the afternoon chat I have to call it a day and back home to do my experiments.......... 

Placement of some plants gathering on the ride ...... after an hour boiling....it came out

 the marks of grape leaf, chinese willow .....

 hibisus, lemon grass, sugar cane leaf, vegetable flowers, passion fruit leaf, eucalyptus, quisqualis indica.....

 I tried prints with clear background and some with shades

 

I'm happy with the experiments but still lots to test as I will have teaching in the coming days. 

 

 Hey boy, what do you think? He's my approver.  With his paws on that means I'm passed.

 "What are you looking forward to?

 

He said he's happy with his life but mum just wants to spread and lots in her plate.  Mum's going to France for the interaction in summer and friends reunion.

 

Yes, I'm off to France, to the wine-growing region and Provence.  Hope to pick some grapes when I head up.

 

A good day chilling out and experiments.