We prepared papers by exposing them to nature. Most were buried in the ground in various locations for different lengths of time.
A wide range of earth-marked papers ready for Nocturne.
During the Nocturne event last weekend, visitors were invited to design their own bookmark using these papers we had prepared. The bookmarks were made from watercolour paper and most of them had been buried in the ground letting Earth make the initial marks. Folks were then invited to decorate their bookmarks by using natural marking tools such as sticks, feathers, or seaweed and colourants from plants such as goldenrod, tansy, and blackberries.
Natural colourants were made from tansy, goldenrod, avocado, guelder rose, and others.
Mark-making tools included feathers, seaweed, twigs, corn husks, etc.
There was great enthusiasm from all ages at the results. Had those colours and patterns really come from paper being buried in the garden? Why did that yellow flower give such a dark green hue? So, who needs paintbrushes?! Did you see how those two colours combined to make such an interesting textured result? Look how that colour changed over time! What would happen if...
A few of the bookmarks after being embellished by our visitors.
Unlike colour and texture from the commercial or manufactured world, Earth's marks have life and vibrancy and vary across the surface and are often ephemeral. They are an invitation to look deeper, to enjoy while they last, to connect more closely to the ground beneath our feet ... then ... look wide and decide how we will show care.
A glimpse of the activity during Nocturne.
Thank you to Sally Crawford for the vision for this project and for all her work making the natural colourants, collecting tools, planning the evening, and for sharing her knowledge with everyone. We began with about 200 earth-marked papers, which were prepared in various locations over the summer, thanks to Sally, Rhonda, Marilynn, and Stephanie. Also, thank you to our other helpers who came out last weekend: Emily, Tarika, Mallory, and Heather!