Natural Dye Workshop with Michel Garcia:

Colors of Provence using Sustainable Methods

$65

Filming of “Natural Colors of Provence” took place in Lauris, France, over a one-week span during which Michel Garcia led a studio workshop. Outdoor instruction was filmed at a dye plant garden with additional footage in the local surrounds of Provence. Working with Michel were ten talented and accomplished textile artists and dyers from USA, New Zealand, Japan, and Hong Kong. They shared their experiences on exploring natural dyes, offering personal accounts and takeaway points learned during this enriching session.

EXTRAS. Extensive Chapter Notes, Glossary of Terms, and Bibliography have been compiled for the purchasers of this DVD. These can be found in DVD Extras. Instructions to obtain password to this bonus information is on DISC One.

Disc ONE: A comprehensive Indigo Workshop using European Indigo (Woad) and ingenious resist paste. Indigo pigment extraction demonstration is followed by two quick totally organic reduction methods to kick start indigo vat.

Disc TWO: Polychromatic color swatch projects on cotton are carried out using a variety of dye plants (oak gall nut, artichoke leaves, sawort, red leaved grape vine, woad, weld, cosmos), extract (logwood), and insect (cochineal) combined with different  concentrations of two simple mordants. Dipping in the same dye bath, stamping with blocks, brush painting, and discharging effect are explained.

Michel Garcia is a botanist, chemist, dyer, and naturalist. He is the founder of Couleur Garance (1998) in Lauris, France, and established Le Jardin Conservatoire de Plantes

English Language/ Subtitles

2 Disc Set 183 Minutes

Filmed on location in Lauris, Provence, France

2011 Slow Fiber Studios Berkeley, California

Produced by Yoshiiko Wade