Fiber Art in Ireland with Nicola Brown :The Art of Eco Printing September 10-16, 2017
Join
us for an Irish experience and art retreat with textile artist Nicola Brown in County Carlow, Ireland! An accomplished felt maker, Nicola has also researched and developed a beautiful line of “eco printed” textiles and clothing, using natural materials from the hedgerow, kitchen, gardens and woods surrounding her home. Once gathered, this vegetation is bundled in silk, wool or handmade felt and processed in well water to extract beautiful colour and prints. Participants will discover 
techniques, tips and processing methods, and can expect to create a variety of pieces during the week. This workshop is for anyone interested in learning the methods Nicola uses to achieve consistent and substantive prints on protein based fabric using a selection of local or easy to find natural vegetation (while enjoying the Irish countryside, food and culture!). These prints will be achieved in a simple and environmentally friendly way. Nicola is a renowned teacher, and has taught extensively on several continents. To learn more about her, and to see her at work, click on this video link: http://www.nicolabrown.ie/the-studio
Learn more about Nicola, read her blog, and view her artwork at http://www.nicolabrown.ie Expect an amazing workshop! There is also an “add-on” tour available in and near Dublin following the workshop.
See the full brochure here: fiber-art-and-ecoprinting-tour-2017
Contact your tour leader Joan Slack at joanslack33@gmail.com with questions …we hope you can join us! Space is limited to 8 people so sign up soon!
pletes the perfect trip. On our tours we try to make sure that you will have time to absorb the places we visit- the mountains, glens, seascapes, winding trails and green vistas.
semesters in Ireland and Scotland, visiting hidden places and fairy glens with local guides, and absorbing the rich artwork, symbolism and beauty of Irish art through the ages. I would often come back to Wisconsin, and in my studio find ways to explore the imagery and experiences through sculpture, drawing, fiber art and mixed media. 
For example, the raven is a symbol of many things in Celtic tales, and a powerful one at that. Shape shifter, messenger, Morrigan- all of the stories and connections of the bird played with my imagination, and led to many series of artwork like the example here in clay and fiber.
I love combining realism with fantasy or magical landscape, and often incorporate birds, as I see them as messengers and symbols of freedom through flight. the magical qualities of ravens have been noted in stories in cultures around the world. I have created many ceramic sculptures using this symbol to explore the ideas I have read about.
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