Michelle Moore on Hammered Flowers
Can you tell us a bit about how you discovered the craft of flower pounding?
I began natural dyeing in 2015. During that time, I came across a few images of flowers that had been pounded and printed, though the results were not very clear. I was intrigued by the process and decided to try it myself. My first prints were messy and felt more like pigment transfers than true prints. Over time, I learned how to create cleaner, more defined transfers, and I was hooked.
What drew you to the craft?
I initally started natural dyeing because I wanted to bring this process to the commercial market and show that it was possible to have natural dye be used by larger companies. Synthetic dyes are incredibly toxic to the environment when printed for large scale textiles. I wanted to change the way that we create this amount of fabric yardage and have the focus be more on natural, small batch, dyeing.
Is there a particular flower that you prefer to work with and why?
Yes, I love cosmos and coreopsis flowers. They come in a wide range of varieties and colours. They print beautifully and have excellent longevity on fabric, especially coreopsis. I also love dark coloured flowers like Black Hollyhock flowers. The anthocyanin rich pigment is more fugitive, but incredibly fun to work with.
Do you have any tips for our readers to source local flower waste for their projects?
Yes, I recommend reaching out to your community. Flower waste can be found in many places, from florists to nurseries to flower farms. At the end of the season, try contacting local U-pick flower farms and ask if you can gather the remaining blooms before they die off. I have also asked florists for leftover materials for natural dyeing. Event planners can be another great resource, since events often leave behind unused florals. There are so many ways to get creative with your community!
What are the eco advantages of this over other forms of printmaking?
Working naturally is a great form of sustainable dye when It is used thoughtfully. I grow flowers specifically for this purpose. I grow flowers that also will bloom more the more you pick them. Natural colour is also living color, it will shift and change over time. It is one of the aspects that makes it so unique. Once it fades, you can layer more prints and create a piece that tells a story over time.
What inspired you to write the book?
I love the process. It’s fun, it’s whimsical, and it brings nature into the creative process. I wanted to share my love for working this way with other so that they can also explore this creative process. I hope it will inspire others to grow more flowers and get creative with what they have on hand before seeking out and buying new.
What are your top tips for beginners?
Start small. Don’t worry so much about “permanence”. I think that is the biggest thing. I get so many questions “will it last?” and the answer is layered and I go over this in more depth in the book. But it's more important to see if you enjoy the process first. Then you can experiment with which flowers and leaves work best, how to mordant, etc. Just start - see where the creative process takes you. Build your skills if you are having fun.
