There is such a journey in every one of my prints. The journey of the idea - from seed to drawings, to carving. The journey of the paper making - from collecting recycled materials and growing or foraging dye plants, petals and leaves, to soaking and blending up a pulp, and then forming each sheet in mold and deckle and then finally drying them flat. Then the journey of the printing - choosing colours, rolling ink, applying it just right, adding pressure to create a relief, and then drying again. It's a lot, but these satisfying and tactile processes that I have come to so organically and have grown to love so dearly are sometimes like a meditation.
Before all of this however, there is usually a moment experienced, often quite a simple moment, that lights me up and sparks the inspiration for each of my works.
Healing Brew has a special story. The seed of the idea planted in a moment of inspiration during mid winter in pandemic lockdown, when the steaming cups of herbal teas, brewed to support our immune systems were creating this magical atmosphere in the quiet of the early mornings inside our warm, small home. The simple act of harvesting healing herbs from the garden and brewing up a pot of warming cuppas felt like a rebellious act of resilience entwined with a deep knowing and trust in the plants as medicine and the strength of our bodies as we endured the onslaught of all the many stories that played out during this wacky old time with both openness and wonder.
There is so much life in a steaming cup of homegrown herbal tea. One brew, shared with family or friends has so much power beyond the seemingly simple act of just having a cuppa. One brew, full of healing warmth and nourishment, can connect us with the land, connect us with each other and can awaken the stories buried deep in our psyches of the plants as medicine. Stories that remind us that we have tools and knowledge at our fingertips to care for ourselves and each other. Sometimes we don't have to go any further than our backyard to begin this process. Healing Brew is an ode to the many healing layers of a moment shared over a hot steaming healing herbal brew. A reminder of the cosines and magic of a quiet moment to yourself, the warmth of home and the plants as allies. Such special, simple, powerful medicine.
Medicinal plants featured in Healing Brew are - Elderberry, rosehip, echinacea, calendula, camomile, lemon verbena and mint.
