June
June bewitches me; rising at first light, trance-like, I glide through the day. I am summoned by the sun and possessed by the floral beauty. Lack of sleep causes my dreams to find me during the day instead of night. They come not in ones but in tens, a constant flurry of creativity that too possesses; my limbs appear in one place and then the next in the space of just moments. Yet, under all of June’s spells, I find myself resist the urge to bloom too early and instead, I channel this abundant energy into my craft, into my surroundings and into those I love.
In the field
The meadows grow taller, some now hip high. New members arrive as others finish their season; Self-heal, Red Clover and Mallow now in flower. Perhaps most curious for me this month has been the arrival of Genista tinctoria, ‘Dyer’s Green Weed'. Dyer’s Green Weed is a shrubby yellow plant in the pea family. It has a long and celebrated history in the use of Natural Dye where it offers the most vibrant of yellows. I of course tested this myself and not only discovered the bright yellow, but a new found love and respect for this plant.
In the Woods
As the heat intensifies, the woodlands offer a cool shelter in which my whirling, heat-driven thoughts are calmed. Taking moments to dip my feet in the river, the initial sharp shock of temperature change wakes me momentarily from June’s spell. The brambles take over the woodland floor, this year I tune into their flowers; not pink, not purple but a shade in-between, their petals fold like tissue, so delicate, why have I not admired them so before?
In the Cauldron
I have not felt this creative in a long time. Something has stirred in me these past two months, an ease in my body has allowed mind to let go of rules and feelings of ‘should’ in place of flow. Flow is a magical thing, it knows no boundaries and holds that same quality of being in trance. That really is how I have felt with my work this month, in a trance. Of course, there is deep intention too. I have endlessly been researching, experimenting and exploring new plant dye materials and colours. I have been mixing dye colours and printing with flowers, revealing new techniques and palettes I didn’t know possible. Layers and layers of plants, energy and emotion have gone into my work this month, The dye process is long and slow, sometimes taking over three days; I wake most mornings to uncover yesterday’s work. No matter how much June demands a certain pace, this work cannot be rushed. Curiously, this creative energy has been accompanied by a going inwards, I have shared very little of my process and work with others. In fact, I have been reluctant to do so which is quite unlike me. I guess I have felt vulnerable in sharing this body of work, not only is it new to me, but it is an expression of my surroundings and the plants within, also my own emotions and feelings of this Summer - the intensity of Solstice, the fading of flowers and the deep pull to be near water.
I have shared a few pieces of my latest work; June on bamboo silk. I had to let go of the fear that people won’t like/see the pieces in the same way I do, which is actually a continuous battle that plays out in other aspects of my life where I too often try to please others. Thus in sharing this work has come a feeling of liberation. I only hope that some may see the beauty in the fleeting plants around us, the subtle shifts in the season and the powerful gift we are given, to be a part of nature.
Inspiration
Lately I have been looking at Japanese watercolour techniques and how they have changed over the years from 10th century to Early 17th century. I have been looking into the intentions and reasons behind their creations. I admire their soft hues, play of positive/negative space and ability to encapsulate a meaning off the paper through simple but intentional colours and strokes.
