ABOUT THE ARTISAN

Annette Brinckerhoff

Natural Dyer & Founder - Tinctorium Studio

 

Born and raised between Costa Rica, Portugal and the United States, Annette grew up surrounded by plants and nature. Her obsession with plants and an unexpected introduction to natural dyeing in Thailand in 2018 was the beginning of Annette's path into the world of natural dyeing. In 2019 she moved back to Portugal, and after a worldwide pandemic forced her to find peace in local plants, she founded Tinctorium Studio in 2020. Today, Annette works with various natural dyeing techniques, always with local plants, and specializes in botanical printing. The garments made in the studio are made from factory deadstock, second-hand, or new sustainable sources such as organic cotton. They are dyed with spontaneous plants, pruned from neighbors, or cultivated - creating living textiles that encourage curiosity about the plants used. As not everything that is natural is sustainable, the atelier integrates practices that reduce its environmental impact. Mainly composting plants, maintaining the garden using permaculture principles, capturing rain and reusing water. Doing our utmost to preserve, respect and celebrate natural abundance through dyeing.

 

 

PROGRAMME

 

Day 1 - Introduction and Theory (4 hours)

We'll start with the basics of botanical printing, exploring essential concepts and initial practices: 

- Initial activity to spark creativity. 

- Introduction to the basic vocabulary of botanical printing. 

- Safety, care and materials needed. 

- Recipes and techniques for pre-treating fabrics. 

- An approach to the chemistry involved in the process. 

- Practical inspiration: examples of work by Tinctorium Studio and other artists around the world.

 

Day 2 - Plant collection and pre-treatment (6 hours)

On this day, we will put the knowledge we have acquired into practice, preparing fabrics and exploring the local flora. 

- Morning (3 hours): Pre-treatment of all fabrics. 

- Afternoon (3 hours): Walk to identify and collect plants, followed by the creation of a personalized herbarium.

 

 

Day 3 - Practical Exploration and Final Production (6 hours)

With the plants collected, fabrics ready and reference samples, this will be the time to create unique pieces: 

- Opening and analysis of the first prints made. 

- Exploration of advanced bundling techniques. 

- Development of authorial works by the participants, culminating in a creative celebration.

 

 

 

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