Forage and Make your own Botanical Ink with Janne Larsen — Aug 24

Dates: August 24, 2025
Times: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Level: All Levels
Membership Price: $140 (Members can use code MEMBERS10 upon checkout to receive 10% off)

Workshop Description:
In this Botanical Ink workshop, participants will leave with more than just their own handmade ink—they'll gain a deeper understanding of the local environment and the stories plants carry. They’ll learn hands-on techniques for extracting natural pigments, explore the cultural and ecological significance of native flora, and discover how creative practices can foster a connection to place. By the end of the workshop, attendees will feel empowered to experiment with sustainable art-making, inspired by the unique colors and materials the natural world provides.

Workshop Schedule:
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM: Welcome & Introduction. Meet and greet with participants. Overview of the workshop goals and schedule. Brief discussion on the ethics of foraging and sustainable practices.
12:15 PM – 1:00 PM: Foraging Walk. Guided walk to identify and gather local plants suitable for ink-making. Discuss the cultural, historical, and ecological significance of the plants found. Emphasis on minimal impact and responsible harvesting.
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM: Refreshment Break. Light snacks and drinks, with time to reflect on the foraging experience.
1:15 PM – 2:00 PM: Ink-Making Demonstration. Step-by-step demonstration of preparing and extracting pigments from foraged materials. Explanation of tools, techniques, and additional ingredients (e.g., binders, modifiers).
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Hands-On Ink Making. Participants create their own inks using foraged materials. Experiment with colors and modifiers to create unique shades. Share tips and troubleshoot with guidance from the instructor.
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM: Share inks. Group sharing of inks created, including any discoveries or surprises.
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM: Paint with inks demonstrating surprising combinations, buildable layers and ways to achieve thinner lines and darker saturation
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM: Provide handouts or tips for continuing ink-making at home. Farewell with an optional Q&A session and clean up.

About the Instructor:
Janne Larsen is an artist and maker based in Los Angeles, dedicated to fostering deep connections between people, their environment, and local history through her work. Growing up on a small farm, where she and her family raised animals, grew their own food, and relied on the land, she developed a profound appreciation for hard work, sustainability, and the natural world. Inspired by these roots and the ethos of stewardship found in Indigenous traditions, Janne creates regionally inspired art materials, including hand-crafted inks that reflect the unique hues and stories of Southern California's native plants. Her projects, such as the four-color ink palette and "Inks and Drinks," merge creativity and community, inviting participants to experience their environment in new, meaningful ways.

Janne's artistic pursuits extend to natural winemaking, where she transforms local fruit into wines that capture the terroir and essence of her neighborhood in LA. Having recently transitioned from a career in teaching to focus on her art full-time, Janne brings a teacher's insight, a farmer’s discipline, and an artist's vision to all her endeavors. She believes in the power of local, sustainable practices to create work that resonates deeply with the community and the land. Balancing her passions with her responsibilities as a parent and partner, Janne approaches life with the same dedication she learned on her family's farm, striving to cultivate beauty, connection, and purpose in every aspect of her work.

Required Materials:
- Provided

Optional Materials:
- Jars if they'd like to bring home extra ink Specific watercolor paper if they have a preference