Meet Aukje Boonstra as she explores her love for the ancient craft of botanical dying
My discoveries and evolving of the fascinating ancient craft of Botanical Dyeing will never cease to fascinate me.
It is the whole process of gathering, processing, the simmering in the dye pots and then revealing of the results, when it has cooled down is very satisfying.
Sitting and stitching can be done any time anywhere. Sitting on the deck on a nice day and hand stitch an art work or garment is one of life’s joys.
Gathering, Upcycling and Celebrating Slow Fashion
Spending time sourcing good quality clothing made of natural fibres, what others discard and then transform it into Sustainable Couture makes time fly by.
Teaching that to others and selling my creations at Artisan Markets or Art Events I thoroughly enjoy.
Tasmanian Botanical Dying
Tasmania is a constant inspiration to me.
The dyeing I do comes straight from nature. The gathering of leaves barks berries and flowers is a wonderful pass time.
The details in nature’s marks I find fascinating. I think of shells, scribbles on bark and rock formations.
The beach is a place where I always go to.
Motherhood and Making
Ever since I became a mother I got interested in making clothing for my daughter and myself, as I always liked things to be different.
Often the only way to that is Make it yourself. Also making housewares such as curtains, table cloths, cushions, wall pieces, etc just the way I like it.
I also did ceramics for some years. That became to hard as I lived with chronic backpain.
After I had back surgery I started to attend textile art workshops at Moonah Art Centre in 1996.
That was a life changer. I flew with it. Since 2000 I have conducted workshops statewide and later Australia wide.
I keep learning evolving.
A Studio for Sewing, Painting, Drawing, Mark Making and Eco-dyeing
My studio is what others would use as a lounge room.
I think it is wonderful, having lived in a unit for many years, where my living area was my studio as well.
This is where I do my sewing, painting, drawing and mark making.
Outside I have a work area with a dye shed. Here I do my Eco dyeing, with a woodfire and a copper.
Textile Based Mediums
My main mediums are textile based.
Outdated and discarded wool, silk, cotton and linen clothing are worked into unique wearables sewn by hand and machine. Wall hangings made of layered cloths are hand stitched.
I work with inks, pencils charcoal, water colours and acrylics. Mark making and abstract work is my main interest.
Being Inspired by Sharing Skills
I enjoy sharing techniques, interests and approaches with others and in doing so enriching their lives as well as my own.
What I enjoy of all of the above is being with like minded people.
Learning from others and sharing skills. Being inspired and inspire others.
Artistic Growth Comes from Learning
From attending many workshops, learning lots of techniques, narrowing down, and continuing to get better in practising my areas of expertise.
Exhibition Lessons Learnt
Communicating with Gallery holders and curators is very important. Be very clear to them in what you want and how you want your work displayed.
Don’t assume they know best. But also be open to their ideas.
The way it all has come together for me and what I learned along the way has worked for me.
The Best Ways to Grow Artistically
Attend classes, workshops and courses and learn as many techniques as you can.
When you have a learned something you are really excited about practise that technique extensively.
Then make it your own.
Find some groups which meet on a monthly/weekly base. It can very inspiring to be with others who have similar interests. Networking is always great. Often friendships are made.
About the Artist
Aukje Boonstra’s art practise began in 1997.
After a major life change, she attended a textile art workshop focused on preused materials which was where it all started.
Not much later she learned the basics of Botanical Dyeing. For a few years she kept learning and refining her techniques. In 2000 Aukje started to conduct workshops and taught at several textile forums Australia wide.
She has exhibited statewide and has been part of numerous joined exhibitions.
Aukje mainly uses materials others discard.
She is passionate about reusing and is mindfull of the landfill and pollution problems in the fashion industry.
Follow Aukje on Facebook and Instagram and visit her website for news about latest designs and creations, events, classes, works and exhibitions.
Be sure to check out Aukje’s Current Workshops.
Artist Profile Stories
I want there to be more arts and crafts in our world, in our communities and in our own lives. Hopefully you’ve found this blog post inspiring and interesting.
So I’m creating, with your help, Art Trails Tasmania, allowing all of us who feel this love to create more of it.
And the Art Trails Tasmania blog is a key part of making this happen, telling the stories of members. It’s about what they have happening with workshops and classes, exhibitions, open studio trails, where to find their outlets, markets, fairs and festivals so you can shop their creations as well as their art and craft retreats.
Also being shared are the supporters of our artists, the galleries, shops, cafes, art societies and groups, places to stay and artist in residencies.
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