Creating Natural Pigments From Plants

I learned to create natural dyes as a child. My next book with Running Press is about the magical properties, pigment possibilities, and healing uses of plants. It is set for publication in 2025.

As part of my work on the NIH and Getty PST - Armory Center projects, I’ve been creating and testing natural pigments. I’m working with my CSUMB students on a Color Library project with the Huntington Bontanical Gardens.

I grow historic dye plants in my garden, using fog catchers and hydroponic pots. If you’d like to know more about fog catchers, check out this video about Dan Fernandez’s fog research. Dan and I have the NIH grant together.

Less officially, my kids and I collect plants on walks and record what colors we can get from them.

We also save kitchen scraps to test for pigment properties. We collect the pigments and create natural arts materials kits for kids.

Here are links to two simple pigment activities that you can try:

Hammering plants and making colors from flowers. Enjoy!