I'm not sure he realized just how lucky I would be on this visit. We practically had the museum to ourselves and when we got upstairs, there were two artisans actually demonstrating their skills. This is an art form that is handed down by generation and a proud occupation of families.
First I was able to watch this artist actually create a handprinted fabric sample using the famous teak stamps.
He made printing fabric look very easy as he quickly applied the pattern in the base color, picked up another stamp and began the second color on top.
After he would place the stamp down, he would pound it a couple of times with a flourish before lifting it up. Imagine my surprise when he gave me a chance to give it a try!!
I'm not sure I passed with flying colors, but this was without doubt one of the highlights of my trip to India. And I was so touched when he cut the fabric piece and gave it to me to take home.
As we walked into the next room, another artisan was creating the teak stamps.
Let's just admire his agility to sit like this! I got leg cramps sitting on the floor "crisscross applesauce" with the kids yesterday!!
With a couple of tools and a hammer, he began creating these small flower stamps. He made it look so easy, I looked at my husband and told him I needed to do this with the kids in the studio and he quickly reminded me that teak is a hard wood. With the speed and ease he was creating these stamps, I completely forgot that part.
When he finished the stamp, which I think took less than five minutes, he graciously handed it to me.
I was so completely touched to walk out of this room with not only a piece of fabric I had watched created (and added my own touch too) but also a stamp I had seen made, I shed a tear or two the experience had been so special to me and I knew, KNEW, I needed to find a way to share it back home.
What better time than in the India Safari Jungle camp?
I used some craft foam and wood blocks and had the campers create two stamps, one for each color they would put on the fabric. We designed animals since it was an animal themed camp, but the young artist quickly moved away from animals I actually saw while in India and picked animals that were their favorites.
8 year old, giraffe
I'd be lying if I didn't say that I was a little concerned at the beginning of this project. I don't think the kids embraced it straight away as they were making their stamps. In hindsight I could of explained reversed printing better.
10 year old, fox love
But when they started printing their fabrics, the project was redeemed and the young artist joy was equal to my own when I was in Jaipur at the Anokhi Museum. To say they loved it would be an understatement.
The kids used watered down acrylic paints for "ink" which worked perfectly. The water ensured the fabrics were not stiff and will hold up to any washing they might do with whatever it is they make from these cotton squares in the future. I also love that the artist can draw into the foam to create reliefs, the hearts above on the foxes bodies were created using this technique.
12 year old, polar bear
I think the favorite part was "thumping" the stamps once they put them on the fabric, much like the artisan I had watched in Jaipur.
"sluggie" 6 year old
I kept assuring the children that printing off register was part of the charm of these works. Having the sample from Jaipur created by a true artisan of this technique came in handy to reassure them that even the finest artist was not always on register.
I love this six year old's slug print. She is a true fan of "sluggie" and I saw this image several times during the time I was working with her. Of course her fabric color choices were pink and purple, again, a palette I saw over and over in her work as it is her two favorite colors.
10 year old, wolf
No surprise that this student chose to do a wolf. It is her "go to" animal most of the time.
10 year old
This young artist wanted to create a geometric pattern instead of an animal. I think it is very interesting how it turned out when she started printing and next time I use this project idea I may just have the artist work with geometric designs.
6 year old, panda
And finally this young student, she was very frustrated when creating the stamps. Like I said, I could of done a better job explaining reverse imaging and the idea of putting parts together to create a whole. I lost sleep overnight while we were waiting for the glue to dry thinking about how unhappy this child had been during the beginning of this project.
So I could of not been more thrilled to see the exact opposite reaction from her when it came time to begin printing. She was the last one to finish she enjoyed creating her fabric so much. Her grandmother is a beautiful textile artist and I hope together they create something wonderful with this sweet fabric she made.
Will I do this project again? Absolutely! Will I find a better way to explain the process prior to creating the stamps? Absolutely! And will I extend the project by having the artist actually create something with the fabric they create once finished? Absolutely! yes yes yes!
What was one of the highlights of my trip to India also became a highlight of the week in the India Jungle Safari camp too. I can't ask for more than that.
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