Natural Dyes Workshop Series: Unraveling the Art of Plant Based Color

At Pine Meadow Ranch, we're excited to present the Natural Dyes Workshop Series, where each session promises a unique exploration of botanical color. Each workshop stands as a unique experience that can be enjoyed individually. However, for those seeking a comprehensive exploration of natural dyeing, we offer a special discount when purchasing all five workshops in the series. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the full spectrum of botanical color!

To learn more about the Natural Dyes Workshop Series and secure your discount, reach out to us directly. We're here to answer any questions and assist you in joining this enchanting series.

Explore the natural dyes blooming in July at Pine Meadow Ranch! In this one-day workshop, we will learn about natural dye processes and engage in hands-on lessons about dye plant harvesting, building dye pots and coaxing color from plants. Using pre-mordanted fibers, this workshop will focus on the basics of natural dyes and the ecstatic magic of plant-based color. Participants will receive a natural dye journal to document their workshop experiments. Their swatch books will document the relationships between the dyes and the plant and animal fibers. Participants will leave with one finished textile and a natural dye journal.

This workshop caters to all skill levels, providing a nurturing environment for beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike. Join us as we celebrate the artistry and sustainability of natural dyeing!

Schedule of activities:
10:00 a.m. — Arrive at the ranch; information about the natural dye process
10:30 a.m. — Gather plant materials from Pine Meadow Ranch flower gardens and build dye pots
12:30 p.m. — Break for lunch (please bring your own lunch)
1:00 pm — Discuss mordants and modifiers; shift dyes for sample fibers
2:00 pm — Collect swatch samples and assemble dye journals
3:00 pm— Depart

About the Artist:

Madelaine Corbin is a multidisciplinary artist based primarily in Oregon in the United States. Corbin received an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Fiber and BFA from Oregon State University. Her research-based practice moves fluidly between drawing, writing, sculpture, textiles, and natural dyeing. Corbin’s work is informed by her participation in the New York Arts Practicum, immersive study in Greece, and as an artist-in-residence and research assistant in a chemistry lab where she helped to synthesize and characterize a new blue. Corbin recently authored The Stuff of Everyday Magic, a book about her research adventures into the color blue. Her work has been supported in the form of residencies at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, The Bloedel Reserve Creative Residency in Research, Prairie Ronde Artist Residency, Pine Meadow Artist Residency, and The League of Stars. Corbin’s work has been recognized by awards including a fellowship to attend Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in 2019, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Emerging Artist Award bestowed by Cranbrook Academy of Art, Honorable Mention for the 2020 Dorothy Waxman International Textile Design Award, and the 2020 Redmond Design Prize. In 2022-2023, Corbin was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to pursue a research and arts project about textile traditions and contemporary craft in Greece.

Price: $150

List of Materials to Bring:

Collection basket/bag
Sharp, clean, gardening snips/pruners
Gardening gloves if desired
Hat/sunscreen

Series Information:

This workshop is the first of 5 Natural Dye workshops with Artist Madelaine Corbin. Register here

Here are the rest of the workshops in the Natural Dye Series for you to check out: Sat, August 3rd – Diving into the Dye and Mordant Processes Sat, August 10th – Shibori and Resist Pattern Making Methods Sat, August 17th – Bundle Dyeing, Ecoprinting and Plant Printing Sat, August 24th – 24 Natural Dye Samples for Color Journal