Flowers
have long been a source of inspiration for art. Wild Columbine,
with its elegant vase-like shape is blooming in woodlands
now. Its salmon-orange blossoms that dangle gracefully from
stems bouncing in the wind have provided artists with a model
of perfect form. An image of this flower is drawn in the border
on a hand lettered European manuscript from the 15th century.
Vincent
Van Gogh's famous 14 Sunflowers in a Vase captures the casual
vibrancy of these dynamic flowers. Native sunflowers can be
found in our prairies and woodland edges. In an interesting
twist, oil from cultivated sunflower seeds is not only used
for food, but also in artists' paints.
At
the age of 90, Gwen Frostic of Benzonia, Michigan, was still
creating gentle linoleum prints of wildflowers such as Trillium,
Goldenrod, Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Even though Gwen passed away
in 2001, her company, Presscraft, still reproduces her charming
books, bookmarks and note cards.
Flowers
in art are timeless and uplifting. Floral paintings and illustrations
remain second only to landscapes in popularity. Perhaps it
is their simplicity, color and fragrance that brings us cheer.
Look around. Flowers remind us we are surrounded by beauty
if you take the time to look for it.
You
can capture the joy flowers bring us with Plant Pounding,
sometimes also known as Cherokee Leaf Printing.
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Family
Activity: Plant Pounding
- 100%
cotton muslin
- Alum
(check your local pharmacy or fabric/yarn craft store)
- Washing
soda (check the laundry aisle in your supermarket)
- Water
and bucket
- Flowers
and leaves -Small flowers work well. Don't overlook
weeds, and other plants growing on roadsides or in
your garden.
- Hammer
- Pounding
board (cutting board or other hard surface)
- Waxed
paper
- Masking
tape
- Fabric
pen, optional
Prepare
the fabric at least one day ahead:
Prewash
your fabric to remove the sizing, using regular laundry
detergent and 2 Tblsp of washing soda. Rinse several
times to remove all traces of soda and detergent.
Soak
the fabric for 2 hours in a mixture of 2 cups hot
water and ¼ cup alum per hard of fabric. Dissolve
1 Tblsp washing soda in ½ cup hot water. Add to bucket.
Let steep overnight, min 8 hrs.
Wring
out the fabric. Do NOT rinse. Let the fabric dry.
Iron and cut to size for your project. This process
reduces fading and helps the plant pigment soak into
the fabric.
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