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Tracy Flanagan

  • 789 Hamilton Pkwy, Novato, CA 94949, USA
  • Studio I

About The Artist

Artist Statement

Artist- Tracy Flanagan


Influenced by India Flint, Irit Dulman, and the large community of botanical artists across the world, I dye and ecoprint cloth and paper using ecologically sustainable local leaves, flowers, and pigments. Natural dye products and plants extracted from the earth combined with heat and water, transfer brilliant and unexpected plant colors and images to fabric and paper. Starting with discards, I upcycle, reuse, and rebirth these fibers, telling a new story of connection between place, fiber, and family.  I transform these ecoprints using stitch and collage, into art that can be touched, worn, and gazed upon by their owners. 
As a textile artist, writer, and physician, I believe that hand marked fabric and paper is ‘everyday art’ that can wrap and heal the body and spirit. With these explorations, I am stitching a connection between the bountiful land of our SF Bay area and the everyday artful living of our families and community. This manipulation of cloth and paper mirrors the work of life– to honor what has come before yet continuously reinvent ourself anew.

 

Process-Botanical dyes and Ecoprinting

 

I use cellulose (cotton, linen, hemp, and bamboo) and protein (wool, silk) fabrics, each prepared differently through prewashing and mordanting so that the cloth will accept the dye and plant colors. As much as possible I try to upcycle and rebirth discarded natural fiber garments and fabric, softened by and enriched with history, time, and wear.

Variations in color and imprints are a result of this hand process of dipping the fiber, placing leaves, and tight bundling for the heated pot. With heat, these plants and flowers of the Bay Area discharge their color and image to the fabric or paper, often with thrilling and unexpected results. With changing seasons, time of day, and individually unique trees, these botanical print designs constantly surprise.

 

Biography

education

Irit Dulman- Monochromatic printing; The Full Palette

India Flint- School of Nomad arts- eucalyptographia, in place, wanderpants

Caroline Nixon- Ecoprint with natural Dyes

Lisa Binkley- In the Boro Spirit

Charlotte Kwon at Maiwa- Guide to Natural Dyes

Carole Beadle- College of Marin- Fiber Sculpture

Vicki Assegued- Mixed media weaving

Nicola Brown- Ecoprinting in dirty pot with iron

Retired physician

 

shows and galleries

 

O’Hanlon- Red 2022, Wabi Sabi 2022

Surface Design Association- Traditions Evolve 2022

MarinMOCA -Altered Worlds- 2022

Bioneers- 2022

Fiber Arts International XI- 2023

 

associations

 

Surface design

MarinMOCA artists

Fiberart now

Textile arts council

Art Medium(s)

Mixed Media, Fiber, Clothing

Studio Information

Building Name

MarinMOCA and Novato Art Center Campus

Studio Or Unit Number

Studio I

COVID Precautions

Contact Information

Artist Full Name
Contact Email Address
Phone

4158601390

Artist Website

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