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Fiber
Art has always been a part of Sharlene Bohr’s life. Her connection to textiles began at a young age with her mother and their mutual fondness for quilting. She loves to play with color and pattern and that has combined with her appreciation of nature, born from growing up in rural Winneshiek County, IA.
Sharlene first discovered eco-printing while living in Los Angeles, CA. A friend of hers introduced her to the process and she was captivated from the moment she unwrapped her first piece. Eco-printing is a technique where plants, leaves and flowers leave their shapes, color, and marks on fabric.
Sharlene places every leaf by hand (or, sometimes, tweezer), creating a pleasing pattern and color palette. The plant material is bundled inside of cloth and steamed or boiled to release the dye found naturally inside the plant, creating a contact print in the shape of the leaf or flower used. Colors are revealed as the plant material is lifted off the unwrapped fabric. These contact prints are referred to as “eco-prints.”
“I solely use natural dye sources because I think the colors that come from nature possess a special quality that’s not found in manufactured dyes. I like how regional plants reflect the area in which they are found, and how the colors change as the seasons progress.”
Sharlene especially likes to mix natural dye techniques, play with different metals, and layer up fabrics to add texture and dimension to her work. Some of her favorite design moments are in the creation of a piece meant to hang on the wall.
Sharlene now resides in Cresco, IA. In her studio, you’ll find her wrapping fabric around pipes, rocks, and sticks, letting the magic of nature reveal itself through her textiles.
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