Rio Wrenn
Natural dyeing techniques and processes are one of my specialties to teach. I am interested in developing ongoing course that could be tailored to the season, harvest and place of workshop offerings. These courses could also be short immersions or one day events. I have experience with all three options.
Pigment Extraction is the process of using plants and minerals to make paints and inks for painting. I am able to develop a multiple day course that harvests, extracts and finally create paints.
Embroidery techniques with plant dyeing is a great way to learn about natural dyes while also learning basic stitching skills to open intuition and artistic practice for painting with threads.
Rust Fusion is the process that lead me into art making. With this course I share processes I have developed along with Indian Kalamakari techniques. In this course students will learn processes from printing, painting, dyeing, and silk screening, The manner of offerings depends on the time frame for teaching and desired focus. There are so many things that can be created with iron. The chemistry is amazing.
Indigo has its own category as it is a complex process that involves chemistry that unfolds a magic of blue proportions. This course can be a one day or multiple day immersion. I have mostly done one – three day courses for indigo.
This learning addresses critical thinking, building collaboration and community skills, embodied learning and discipline based arts education.
Schools K - 12, youth (18-25), Libraries, community groups, assisted living. Art Therapy.
About RioRio is a Portland native working with the earth to garner color through rust, plants, and found objects. For the last 22 years she has been exhibiting and developing work that is sculptural, and textile based. Her processes and techniques are in alignment with traditional practices from Japanese, Indian and Native American ancestry as well as years of experimentation. Rio has been teaching processes and offering ritual making since 2013 and loves the connection to community it has cultivated. In 2009 she started a slow fashion label 'R A W Textiles'. The focal point has been her sustainable practices with plant dyes and bringing attention to the practices of standard corporate fast fashion.
In 2023, she published an inspirational memoir, 'Spirituality of Rust - A Sacred Language of Iron Though Art'.
Artist Statement
I am an environmental artist working with plant and minerals for over 20 years. My work is a celebration of process that has evolved as I developed and experimented with its boundaries. I mainly use textiles as my canvas in combination with rust, plant dyes, found objects and raw materials that manifest by dyeing, embroidery, needle weaving, basketry, sewing, soft sculpture, printing, pigment extraction and painting.
These materials are gifts of the earth that inspire me to create. The manifestation of color through decay has given me many years of inspiration to make art. The main theme in which I carry through every piece is spiritual discovery through earth. This has not only driven me as a personal response to creating my work but gives me a sense of connection to the land I inhabit. The ways in which I procure raw materials and which ones I use are equally valuable and fuel my inspiration.
In the last 10 years my work has been about transformation. This was initially apparent as I had my own personal transformation or re birthing that influenced my art making. Through this catalyst I felt aligned with and empowered by invisible forces of cosmic proportions. I was prompted to find connection in deeper ways that brought me out of my shell of protection and into a vascular network of healing.
