What will you learn?

At this moment of ecological transformation, connecting to land provides grounding opportunities to slow down and appreciate the sometimes-overlooked specialness of local places. In this workshop, Connecting to Place with Natural Pigments we’ll explore place connection and kinship by creating responsive, small artworks with nature mineral pigments. Together, we’ll process soil pigments from Organic Farm School soils and mineral pigments from other locations, to create watercolor and egg tempera with natural binders. You will find inspiration from works by artists who create with natural pigments. Working with symbols, shapes and forms, or natural imagery, you’ll begin a small work honoring and recognizing a special aspect of place, and learn skills to carry forward in future projects.

All abilities welcome, no prior experience required. Please wear clothing to participate both indoors and outdoors, as appropriate for the weather, and okay to wear when painting. Please bring any snacks or drinks you will need for the afternoon. Age range 16 and up.

Who is your instructor?

Jeanne Dodds is a multimedia artist, biodiversity conservationist, researcher, educator and all-around lover of plants, animals, and natural phenomena. She’s taught art and biodiversity conservation for schools, museums, and non-profits around the west and internationally. She’s currently a PhD researcher at Falmouth University, UK, studying place identity and kinship with the more-than human world in a time of climate change. Her creative visual practice has been broadened and supported by artist residencies in New Zealand, Indonesia, Mexico, and other locations. Through her practice, she seeks an ever-deepening connection to identities of place and the sacred relationship between humans and the more-than-human world.