Judy Metcalfe
Judy Metcalfe is a textile artist living in the Yorkshire Dales. She draws inspiration from her cottage garden and the railway line at the back of her house where the wild raspberries grow over the wall. Judy is a keen gardener, and grows different types of flowers fruits and vegetables, which she often uses in her work.
“In my practice I create eco printed art pieces and scarves. Eco printing is a technique where fabric has to be scoured and soaked overnight in a mordant. I use plant and flowers which print their mark on fabric involving heat using steam or boiling in a large pan. Most of the leaves I use come from my garden. I use rose geranium, strawberry, wild raspberries, and blackberries. Other leaves used are acer beech oak eucalyptus and vine leaves. I print on different types of fabrics, silks, wool and crepe de chine. During the process leaves are dipped in a rust solution. I make a pattern on fabric and then wrapped tightly in a bundle ready for “cooking”. It takes about two to two and a half hours. The bundles are then left to cool overnight. I unwrap, I love the element of surprise to see how the print turns out! In the Autumn I collect the leaves ready to dry in several flower presses so I can continue to print in the Winter months.”
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