Collection || The Marsh

The Marsh is a collection of mixed media pieces that explores the infinite colour possibilities that can achieved from foraged plants in a specific regional area. All of the colour you see in The Marsh collection was extracted from handpicked plant matter collected around Miners Marsh in Kentville, Nova Scotia in the late summer and fall of 2022.

While producing this body of work, I sought to create pieces that would surprise the viewer. It is my intention that the viewer looks at the work and wonders how the plants that they see along a trail can produce such vibrant, long-lasting colours and interesting patterns. 

The colours you see were achieved through natural dyeing: a traditional craft with a rich history, which I'm excited to bring into the contemporary world. This collection embodies my aspiration of bringing the natural world to the modern interior setting. 

Using nature as my medium I foraged a wide variety of plants including; goldenrod, queen annes lace, ragweed, silverod, knapweed, meadowsweet, curly dock, elm, black locust, sumac, dandelion, lady’s thumb, willow leaves, and oak leaves. In my experience, the plants that are widely considered invasive weeds can produce the most stunning array of delightful colours. The colours in The Marsh collection have been extracted using a variety of techniques including eco-dyeing and immersion dyeing. The plant-based dye has been absorbed into natural fibres such as cotton, linen and silk. My process with natural dyeing during this project was intuitive and playful. Whilst I kept notes, I tried to not let the rules and recipes of dyeing define my process. 

While the collection can be interpreted in a multitude of ways, It is my deepest hope that each piece brings the viewer a sense of peace, inspiration and wonder. I hope that they are reminded of the spiritual moments that can be found during time spent in nature. Lastly, I hope that the next time you walk along a trail, you will take notice of the humble weeds that you might have overlooked before, and be captivated by their beauty.