What’s your story?

I grew up surrounded by natural beauty, nestled in the woods on the coast of Maine, and have always loved reflecting the natural patterns around me in various modes of creative expression. Though I took my art practice fairly seriously as a teenager, I felt called to address urgent community needs in a way that seemed more direct, and I found this through farming. For several years, I tried to balance my creative practice with long days managing small organic vegetable operations, but this eventually proved to be both financially and spiritually unsustainable. During this time, however, I stumbled upon natural dyes in a simple way. A smushed wild grape on the sidewalk led me to question if the luxurious color could be transferred to cloth, and thus began an ongoing journey of research and experimentation and fascination with the world of natural dyes.

I began growing dye plants before I knew barely anything about dyeing, and now I enjoy both cultivating and foraging for color. This year I am increasing my Japanese indigo (Persicaria tinctoria) production with the help of some local farmers. I tease myself about not being able to escape farming but, truthfully, I love working outside in all seasons, keeping my senses sharpened to the needs of crops and soil. These indigo plants will be used in my own work, and in my classes and workshops which are a new endeavor this year as well.

The study of natural dyes is a confluence of so many of my interests, from botany and organic chemistry, to history and traditional human-plant relationships, to our spiritual connection to place. I have had the privilege of traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico to study traditional dyeing with a family of weavers, and have studied with artisans close to home as well. My printmaking methods are informed by studying traditional textile design techniques such as katazome from Japan, ajrak printing from India and Pakistan, and kalamkari from India and the Middle East. I am in awe of the work of past artisans, and grateful to the craftspeople who’ve been able to keep their textile traditions alive in the face of colonialism, industrialization, and exploitation.

What are your values?

Working with food, medicinal, and dye plants has helped me to better love and respect both my own body and the land from which it grew. I seek to create beautiful, thoughtful textile art pieces that reflect this connection. Additionally, my goal is to encourage others to think critically about the sources of materials in our daily lives, to be awed by the rich human history of handmade textiles, and to pause to observe and appreciate something subtle in the landscape. I would love to be known as someone who facilitates people's connection to place, while unpacking some of the complex factors that shape our relationship to the natural world.

Where can we find out more about you and your work?

Website: www.berkleysierra.com | Instagram: @berkley.sierra