Art Fx is a year-long series on Huntsville Doppler featuring Huntsville-area visual artists.
“Conversations with Spring” by Wendy Martin, measuring 11″x14″ with handmade natural inks on watercolor paper, tells the story of the first wild natural colours to bloom after the long contraction of winter.
The sustainably harvested first blooms of spring are then turned into natural, living Ink. The colour players of this piece have been created by wild violets, deep pink peonies and purple tulips. Elderberry and wild grape ink harvested from this autumn add a seasonal synergy to the conversation.
“Working with living inks is like no other medium I have worked with before,” says Wendy. “I have to completely let go of the colour I think the plant might offer, and openly receive what it reveals. Creating art from what the plant shares requires letting it move how it wants to move, and say what it has to say, without trying to steer the work too much. To me this is an adventurous and thrilling relationship, also one that requires a healthy dose of patience.”
“Conversations with Spring“ is for sale, $70. Contact Wendy at sacredbreathyoga@gmail.com for details on purchasing.
About the artist
Wendy Martin is a movement / meditation educator, writer, textile (favouring natural dyes and eco-prints) and mixed-media artist.
She is one of the creators, along with her husband, Jason Martin, of Muskoka Tye Dye.
Wendy is following the long-winding road of blending all of her artistic creations into a mixed-media body of work that will highlight the many layers of how she interacts, perceives and values the natural world.
Keep an eye open for her local workshop offerings in Huntsville, where she guides you through the process of creating your own eco-printed paper using natural and found materials, kitchen scraps, and mineral modifiers to alter colour. You can stay in touch through Instagram @sacredbreathyogini (Wendy Martin), on Facebook @ Wendy Martin, or online at muskokatyedye.com and wendymartinyoga.com.
See more local art in Doppler’s Art Fx series here.
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Brenda Begg says
Wendy, this is a beautiful piece of art; I love the colours and technique!