Wow - time does fly! I can't believe I have already been back for almost 3 weeks.
The workshops were a great success.
The participants were amazing and so talented.
Thanks to your generosity, we could recreate my studio setup for each participant.

At the beginning of each workshop, I talked about the history of Maya Blue and its importance.

The participants made Maya Blue powder, beautiful watercolor paint, and ink from the powder.
We did run into trouble with the screen printing paste.
I believe it was due to the elevation and climate. We weren't able to use it. But the designs for their screens were amazing.

Everyone enjoyed painting with the watercolor paint they made. They tested their paint on three different papers - handmade paper from @manosuciadiciones, Japanese Rice Paper, and commercial watercolor paper.

They also tested their ink using calligraphy pens.

The community center @cccdetv was very accommodating, giving us a beautiful space to work in with lots of natural light and access to the patio outside,

Each morning on the way to the community center, Odilon and I would stop at the market to pick up fresh fruit (apples, mandarin oranges, and bananas) and freshly made bread for the break.

The atmosphere was one of excitement, filled with people eager to learn and lots and lots of smiles!

Thank you for making all this possible!

It is hard to believe how quickly time passes! I have been in Oaxaca for 5 days now. It has been a busy 5 days. Local shopping for workshop materials, and a studio visit to Calpulli (Alfredo Orozco's weaving studio - @orozco_textil_experimental) in Santa Maria del Tule. A visit with papermaker Eduardo Santiago (@manosuciaediciones). He traveled from San Augustin Etla to bring his beautiful handmade paper and godetes for the workshops. I spent a couple of days working with my good friend Gabriel Rivera (@gabrielriveraoax) for a run-through and some troubleshooting with the Maya Blue botanical screenprinting paste. The owners of my hotel (@casapereyraoax) have allowed me to set up a mini-studio in my room, even supplying a work table! Tomorrow I head out for Teotitlan del Valle. the workshops begin on the 7th.

The beautiful tapete (rug) is almost finished.
I will pick it up from Odilon when I am in Teotitlan.
Odilon told me he is using 20 colors. Both naturally colored wool yarn and yarns dyed with natural dyes he has foraged.

Departure is just two weeks away! One suitcase is packed and one more to go. 
Both workshops are full, and I am super excited to meet the participants.
Committee members will again host me in their homes for my evening meal. Odilon, my friend, translator, and assistant, will accompany me.
Last year, thanks to Odilon, I had interesting and in-depth conversations about dyeing, weaving, local dye plants, and more. Having these sorts of conversations is so valuable.
I feel honored to be welcomed into people's homes.
Counting the days!

Registration for the January workshop, Making Maya Blue, went live this morning.
This is thanks to you! Your support made this happen!

All the prep work for creating the workshop handouts is complete!
It all starts with setting up my studio to be as close to the conditions in Teotitlan as possible.
Then, a run-thru of each technique for feasibility, timing, tools, materials, etc. I make copious notes and then use those notes to create written instructions.
Finally, the instructions get entered into DeepL (a translation tool).
Not done yet - I need to check that DeepL's translation from English to Spanish is correct.
Once I was satisfied, I printed out the instruction sheets.

It has been a little while since my last update.
The campaign has raised $3687.00 from 19 donations!
The campaign is winding down - with just 23 days to go.
All the testing of the techniques has been completed.
Instructions are written, triple-checked, and translated into Spanish.
Supplies have been purchased, and I will soon start to fill my suitcases.
My departure date has been moved up a day - I will now fly out on Dec 31st. 
I am looking forward to welcoming the New Year in Oaxaca.

Thank you for helping to make this trip possible!! I cannot do this work without your generosity!

Odilon is about to begin weaving the very special tapete (rug) that is a reward for donating to Making Maya Blue.
I hope you enjoy the short video and the pictures!
Wouldn't you like to have such a special piece in your home??

100% Cotton Bandana silkscreened with Palo de Brasil.
Palo de Brasil is a tree that is native to Mexico.
It has been used as a dyestuff in the villages of Oaxaca for centuries.
Today the heartwood is sustainably harvested.

Meet Odilon

Odilon Lorenzo Gonzalez is a weaver, dyer, music teacher, and friend.

I first met Odilon in 2022 at my indigo workshop in Teotitlan. We stayed in touch after the workshop.

When it was confirmed that I’d be returning to Teotitlan in 2023, I asked Odilon if he would like to be my assistant and interpreter. He immediately said yes!

Odilon did an outstanding job. At the end of my stay Odilon invited me to his home for a meal and to meet his beautiful wife and charming young daughters. Our friendship has only strengthened and Odilon will again assist me in 2025.

 

I have commissioned Odilon to weave a tapete (small rug) as a reward for this campaign. It is one-of-a-kind, woven with wool yarns dyed from plants foraged locally - the colors are from pericón, zapote fruit, nut shells, nut leaves, palo de águila, and huizache.

 

When Odilon asked me what pattern/design I would like, I replied that he should “weave what makes you happy”, and that made him very happy.

 

Odilon will begin weaving the tapete at the beginning of October and I will carry it back after the workshop. That is why there is no picture of the tapete. But once he begins to weave Odilon will send photos of the piece in progress on the loom, and I will post them in the updates section. The small rug will be approximately 80cm X 150cm (30” x 60”). The two photos below labeled Traditional Design and Tree of Life are woven in the same color palette as the Tapete being offered as a reward.

 

I have attached photos of four of Odilon’s tapetes. As you can see his work is very detailed and absolutely stunning!

One of the best parts about what I do is meeting new people.

Eduardo Santiago @manosuciaediciones is a papermaker and artist from Oaxaca, he took my workshop last year at Calpulli, and we have stayed in touch. I asked Eduardo to make paper for my upcoming workshops at CCCdeTV. He will make small vessels (godetes) to hold the participants’ watercolor paint. Eduardo makes watercolor paints and cares very much about the environment.

 

I can’t wait for the participants to try their ink, watercolor, and printing paste on Eduardo’s beautiful, handmade paper!

 Your donation to my campaign, Making Maya Blue, really goes beyond the workshops. Your donation allows me to work with/collaborate/support local artisans. And I Thank You!