Real Reds, True Blues and Fast Yellows

Madder root and cochineal bugs for reds, indigo for blue, weld leaves and marigold flowers for clear yellows – these are some of the most revered and precious plants of the ancient world, used to create a full spectrum of clear, bright and stable colors on cloth, as well as lake pigments for art. Working from raw materials, participants will assemble a comprehensive notebook of samples and learn about making lake pigments. Each day will be dedicated to one of the primary colors. Dye chemistry and natural dye color mixing will be explored. This course provides a strong foundation in natural dyes.

Iris Sullivan Daire is an artist and naturalist dyer who uses site specific pigments and dyes to add new layers of meaning to the narrative of her work. She relishes using science, metaphor and story to bring the materials to life while teaching.

Iris lives with her family next to the Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon. She grows traditional dye plants and has been quietly mapping the hidden colors contained within the native and invasive plants of the North Oregon Coast. She holds a BFA in fiber arts from University of Oregon and has been teaching for over 20 years.

• Journal supplies

• Apron

• Gloves (Surgical style)

• Dust mask

• Scissors

• 1 quart jar

• Comprehensive instruction book

• Binder for samples

• All materials for samples and final projects (variety of fibers prepared for dyeing, watercolor paper)

• All dyes, mordants and modifiers

• Dye pots

• Indigo vat

• Long gloves