I have dedicated over 20 years to the  the art of sun dyeing, becoming well-versed in the plants of my home province of Ontario that are suitable for natural fabrics. Residing near Algonquin Park, I have access to a diverse array of plants, trees, flowers, and seeds.

 

The process of sun dyeing, also known as Heliographic Art, involves special paints that react to ultraviolet rays from the sun or light, yielding beautiful results when executed under ideal conditions. Sun dyeing requires a clear blue sky, minimal cloud cover, and still air throughout the process. Heat plays a crucial role as well; the quicker the fabric dries, the easier it is to keep the plant materials in place. Perfect days for sun dyeing are rare, so I often my schedule when the right conditions arise. Recently, I've also started experimenting with sun dyeing under UV lights, which allows me to work on rainy and extends my dyeing season—what a game changerI begin by collecting plants and flowers from the extensive gardens surrounding my home. Since the plant materials wilt quickly I prefer to gather them nearby, though I always keep a pail of water and clippers in my car in case I spot interesting new plants along the roadside. Adding a new, suitable plant for sun dyeing is always thrilling, as not all are appropriate for this technique.

 

Once I have gathered the botanicals, I quickly apply the dyes to dampened fabric with a specific theme in mind. The plant materials are pressed onto the wet fabric and left until everything is completely. This can be tricky if a sudden breeze disrupts my arrangement. The areas of fabric covered by the flowers and leaves will block the sun's ultraviolet rays, causing those sections to fade, while the exposed areas will become vibrant. After transferring the plants' images onto the fabric, I remove them and heat set the fabric to ensure permanence.

 

Each finished piece is laundered, ironed, and signed by me.  The final product is designed to resist shrinking and fading.