Turkey Red Journal
Dear Readers:
Welcome to the Spring 2018 Edition of the Turkey Red Journal. It is garden prep time again. Last year, I moved my dye garden to our front parkway. It is a smaller space, but much easier to maintain and water. I plan on growing the same plants as last year, with the addition of sawwort (Serratula tinctoria) and New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax, a fiber plant, not dye). Living in Zone 5, I will need to store the New Zealand flax in the garage for the winter. I am interested in expanding the garden to a dye and fiber garden, allowing me to experiment with those hard-to-dye fibers. I also will continue to work with John Marshall and the Japanese Indigo dye group. We hope to have an article in the Fall 2018 edition of the TRJ.
I will continue my position as Lecturer for the Fiber and Material Studies Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for the 2018/2019 academic year. It is a rewarding experience to share my knowledge with groups of dedicated students.
Last January, my husband and I traveled to New Zealand, where we met up with our youngest son. I was able to visit with three dyers/fiber artists. We spent a full day with Suzanne Mudge and her husband touring rural Auckland and dyeing in Suzanne's studio. In Auckland, I also meet with Mayhia Howels, who showed us her beautiful plaited work based on Maori techniques. In the South Island, I meet with Celia Wilson, who makes beautiful eco-print books. Celia has a beautifully written article in this edition of the TRJ. In it, she shares with us an overview of dyes (both organic and inorganic) used in Maori art work, local South Island New Zealand dyes and dyers and her inspiration and techniques for her eco-print pieces and books.
Also in this edition, Wendy Ives shares with us her experiences with making felted shawls using natural dyes, starting with her search for materials and processes to create her artwork to her techniques for dyeing and felting her finished pieces.
The submission deadline for the Fall 2018 issue will be July 15 for articles, artwork, exhibit notices and book reviews. We are interested in featuring dyers from around the world, so don't hesitate to submit your ideas for articles. Send your submissions to madder@comcast.net.
Back issues of the print version of the TRJ are still available for purchase. Contact me directly for further information. Please keep sending in your thoughts and suggestions. We appreciate all your comments.
If you are not currently on the TRJ new issue notification mailing list and would like to receive notification when the new issue is online, please send an email to madder@comcast.net. Your email address will not be shared with others.
Thanks to Virginia Hamilton who is continuing as our copy editor. As always, a special thanks to Bob Feldman, our copy editor and webmaster for all his hard work.
Pamela FeldmanEditor and Publisher
www.pamelafeldman.com