Eco Printing

Kathy Johnson Art

Scroll down to see examples of student work.

The Magic of Eco-Printing

Experience the magic of eco‐printing on paper, a process of making direct contact botanical prints from the natural pigment found in plants. Combining contemporary print techniques with historic methods of natural dying result in stunning one of a kind botanical prints captured on paper.

Experiment with a variety of papers including – printmaking & watercolor paper, deli paper, and garden book pages.
Make prints using onion skins and a variety of different plant materials.

Try two techniques for making paper bundles: layering cut and folded sheets and rolling long strips.

Explore the use of iron water and copper water as mordants.

Work with two methods of heating: steaming and simmering in water. This is where the magic of pigment to paper transfer happens!

Discuss safety procedures and the sustainable practice of foraging and gathering plant material.

The unpredictable and often surprising result is what makes the process of eco printing so exciting. Prepare to be wowed by Mother Nature’s magic!

Your finished eco prints can be used for making books, journals, cards, tags, scrolls, collages, as a foundation for stitching and drawing, and can be embellished with items such as small twigs, shells, stones, or small pieces of metal.

No experience necessary. All tools, supplies and plant material will be provided but feel free to bring a few shrub leaves, tree leaves, and/or flowers you have and would like to try printing with. Nothing too fleshy (succulents) and nothing toxic.

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Have a question about a workshop?
send me an email at KJohnsonCollage@gmail.com

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What students are saying:

I cannot even describe how much I enjoyed yesterday’s eco-print workshop.
Thank you so much for sharing your joy and expertise. It was such a fun experience.
~ Claudia Gray, Westbrook, CT

I now see my walks in the forests and the strolls around my garden in a completely different way. So many of the wild plants that I so fondly observe throughout the seasons and my poor delphiniums may never recover from being coveted for how they may turn out when sandwiched and boiled or steamed! I think I may have become a kind of mad chef of the wilderness - LOL
Seriously, though, you have showed me a way to conjoin two loves, printing and a love of plants, within an art-form which respects and honours nature in it's physical process.....AND it is so so much fun. Thank you for a really enjoyable and inspiring course!
~ Sarah Dixon, Rossland, BC

What a treat to attend your class at MISSA in Canada. It was a creative adventure! My favorite Kind. ~ Anna Kelso, Carlsbad, CA

I so enjoyed your class - now when I'm out in the woods I look at all the foliage with a new perspective. ~Susan Gillespie, Comox, BC

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the workshop today. You created a very welcoming space and your yard is a true sanctuary. You are clearly very knowledgeable about eco-printing and have a great teaching style. I look forward to taking another class sometime. ~ Elaine Brooks, Canterbury, CT

It was a great time, gathering the natural material, chatting, and learning new ways to create. Thanks for offering this! ~ Carol A. Watson, Bozrah, CT

Thanks so much for sharing your expertise, techniques and your wonderful garden! ~ Deirdre Humphrey, Long Island, NY

What a fun technique and you are a great instructor!!! ~ Laurie Loubier, Norwich, CT