Tinctorium Studios: Ecoprinting and Natural Dye Art

Raised by entomologists who ran a butterfly farm, Annette was always surrounded by plants throughout her life. She didn’t realize how special that was until she moved to the city for university and felt like something was missing from her life. 

“I grew up always around plants and flowers, everywhere, all day. But when you grow up like this, it’s something you take for granted, so you don’t realize how important and special it was.” 

Annette is a self-taught dye artist. She started picking up techniques online and through books, and through a lot of trial and error she learned how to create unique, wearable art. 

The plant materials she works with are all foraged, which means she is at the mercy of the unpredictability of nature. Though some might find that frustrating, she embraces it. 

“You’re on the plant’s timeline, and if they don’t want to flower until next week, then there’s no flowers in the work. And that’s that.” 

A film by Tuca Paoli.