photo by Photography Atelier
About Andrea
For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to the beauty of the natural world and had a desire to paint and create. After working for over ten years as a portrait artist and freelance graphic designer, I returned to my first love, painting, through a new medium, foraged ink.
I am inspired by the beauty, truth and goodness of creation and the unfolding of each work as it takes shape. I hope my work may help you to rejoice in the little things, our place in the created world and the Lord who created all things.
What are foraged ink paintings?
I make my own foraged ink from gathered botanicals. I have made ink from black walnut, beetroot, buckthorn berries, wild grapes, sumac berries, acorn tops, lanceleaf coreopsis, onionskins, siberian iris and numerous other botanicals. Each color is a discovery and so much more precious because of the hours and effort that went into creating it. Foraged ink begins with a walk. A chance to pause and notice the wonders surrounding me, notice the colors the earth holds. Some colors are more obvious, others hidden and must be coaxed out with patience and research.
After the botanicals are collected, they are gently simmered in water for hours. Additives are added to enhance and change color and increase permanence. Some, like buckthorn berries, are simply mashed and strained. Each ink holds a richness of place and pigment that can’t be bought at a store. In addition to painting with brushes, I also use gathered sticks and create hand carved dip pens made from elderberry and sumac stems to create more expressive marks. I invite you to pause and marvel at the colors of our world and the richness of creation.
Foraged inks create “living works of art” that continue to develop after the artist’s hand has left the paper. Colors continue to evolve over time and through the natural oxidation process.