Nature is one of our greatest nurturers. And readily available in school through the art of eco printing!
Radiant Wave can bring nature straight to you through the extraordinary practice of eco printing.
Eco Printing is becoming a popular way to creatively explore the natural world and connect with trees, plants, and flowers. Through the process, we begin to further develop and deepen our reciprocity with nature and in turn understand the importance of ensuring sustainable art practices.
In Eco Printing – we meet what is readily available to us to create. Rather than going to the store to buy products we have no connection with – in this practice we understand what is available to us right now. And take only what we need from nature, rather than grasping and grabbing everything we see.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, in her book "The Serviceberry", compares this reciprocity with her ancestors who moved with the availability of food – rather than cultivating and farming the land. Instead - they met the land, and appreciated and valued the gifts available with each season and place.
Rather than using chemical dyes, the Eco Printer relies on alum, ferrous sulphate, plant tannins, and natural pigments from flowers, leaves, roots, and bark to produce beautiful pieces of fibre art. All safe products to use in the school classroom.
In our Eco Printing classes we provide students with mordanted cotton fabrics and collected leaves. They are taught to complete the layouts and role and secure fabrics into bundles with string. The bundles are then steamed and later opened by the students to receive beautiful "gifts" from the natural world.
An outstanding way to build awareness while having a very satisfying creative experience
Eco printing provides students with direct access to "greener" alternatives that decreases the negative impact on the environment. By showing children eco-friendly printing solutions they are able to understand what it means to decrease their carbon footprint, remove health risks from toxic exposures, and help them feel empowered to make informed, sustainable choices moving forward.
Our wellbeing is increased when we know that instead of "worrying" about the environment, there are things we can do to truly make the world a better place through progressive practices such as eco printing.
In addition, eco printing helps children to notice the natural world surrounding them a little bit more. By being educated about the trees and flowers in their own home environment, they will then "see" the natural beauty around them more deeply. This connection to the outside world helps to release healthy endorphins that reduces stress and anxiety.
Eco printing truly is an outstanding way to build awareness while having a very satisfying, nurturing, and creative experience.