COLORS OF EARTH
NATURAL COLORS
DATE : JUNE 14TH & 15TH, 2025
TIME : 10AM-5PM
LOCATION : TAOS, NM
This two day workshop will explore the various uses of Earth's colors derived from various geological layers in the form of minerals and sedimentary rocks. This workshop will combine a day of pigment hunting where you will learn how to use maps to read the geological landscape while developing a better understanding of where to look for Earth's colors providing you with in depth knowledge of the unique geological history of Northern New Mexico.
We will hike into specific areas to collect colors from the Earth with an environmentally and culturally sensitive approach focused on a leave no footprint philosophy. The minerals, clays, and soils we collect will then be brought back to the studio to process into making pigments with a ball mill or mortar and pestle. These ground pigments will then be levigated in water and sifted through a sieve to refine the particles into an ideal size for making paints, slips for ceramics, or for adding color to the finish coat of plaster.
Ill provide a diversity of other pigments and binders to experiment with back in the studio along with some watercolor paper to paint on. Feel free to bring your own watercolor sketchbook to make swatches of color with the pigments and paints as well as to take notes about the places and geological layers from which the originate from.
We will hike into specific areas to collect colors from the Earth with an environmentally and culturally sensitive approach focused on a leave no footprint philosophy. The minerals, clays, and soils we collect will then be brought back to the studio to process into making pigments with a ball mill or mortar and pestle. These ground pigments will then be levigated in water and sifted through a sieve to refine the particles into an ideal size for making paints, slips for ceramics, or for adding color to the finish coat of plaster.
Ill provide a diversity of other pigments and binders to experiment with back in the studio along with some watercolor paper to paint on. Feel free to bring your own watercolor sketchbook to make swatches of color with the pigments and paints as well as to take notes about the places and geological layers from which the originate from.
Traveling to Taos, Accommodations, & Preparations for the Workshop
I realize that Taos is probably not the easiest place to get to depending on where you are traveling from. So if you are traveling from a far off place you will need to figure out your own modes of transportation from planes, trains, and automobiles. You will also need to figure out your own accommodations for places to stay in a vacation rental, hotel, or camping spot. I can help guide you with potential options, but it is ultimately not part of the service that I am providing.
After you sign up for the workshop I will email you the locations of where we will be collecting materials from as well as the location of the shop where we will be processing materials into pigments for use in paints. The times for these workshops start at 12pm and end at 5pm, but will require some travel time prior to arriving at the destination for the pigment hunting location as well as back to the place you are staying for the evening as well as to the shop on the second day.
We may meet up at a designated location for the pigment hunting trip to carpool and rendezvous to the areas we will be exploring. I still need to decide upon the actual location depending on the current closures of specific areas due to the fires we had this summer. The images in these photos may be the location that we travel to for collecting materials, but I will ultimately decide upon the place we go to at the beginning of September when I receive an update on the status of what landscapes are accessible and seem most appropriate for us to learn about and gather Earth colors from.
Please come prepared with water, snacks, and a lunch along with the proper shoes, hat, sunscreen, and clothing for a diversity of unpredictable weather here in Northern New Mexico where temperatures drop significantly from day to night.
After you sign up for the workshop I will email you the locations of where we will be collecting materials from as well as the location of the shop where we will be processing materials into pigments for use in paints. The times for these workshops start at 12pm and end at 5pm, but will require some travel time prior to arriving at the destination for the pigment hunting location as well as back to the place you are staying for the evening as well as to the shop on the second day.
We may meet up at a designated location for the pigment hunting trip to carpool and rendezvous to the areas we will be exploring. I still need to decide upon the actual location depending on the current closures of specific areas due to the fires we had this summer. The images in these photos may be the location that we travel to for collecting materials, but I will ultimately decide upon the place we go to at the beginning of September when I receive an update on the status of what landscapes are accessible and seem most appropriate for us to learn about and gather Earth colors from.
Please come prepared with water, snacks, and a lunch along with the proper shoes, hat, sunscreen, and clothing for a diversity of unpredictable weather here in Northern New Mexico where temperatures drop significantly from day to night.
Physical Requirements & Waiver for Liability
Please carefully consider the nature of this workshop will require hiking at elevations above 7000 feet and in steep and unstable terrain. If you are coming from sea level then the impacts of lower elevations are something to consider based on your own limitations. We will also be hiking in areas that will be along a trail or forest road, but also off the beaten path on steeper slopes in specific areas to collect materials.
A waiver will be required for you to sign for liability purposes and you need to recognize your own limitations and the impacts it may have on your participation in the workshop. So please sign up if you feel that this workshop is right for you.
A waiver will be required for you to sign for liability purposes and you need to recognize your own limitations and the impacts it may have on your participation in the workshop. So please sign up if you feel that this workshop is right for you.
Cancellation Policy
After signing up for a workshop you have a 48 hour grace period immediately following the purchase to receive a refund. Beyond this 48 hour grace period, refunds will not be issued under any circumstance. If you need to cancel your reservation for the workshop after 48 hours of signing up your deposit can be used as credit for a future workshop or can be transferred to someone else who can attend the workshop you signed up for.