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BY PATRICIA MOSCA & DEB TAYLOR

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s artists, we usually work alone in our studios, wherever that may be for us. We share the pieces we work on to connect with others - some for sale and others in journals or on paper or canvas for our own personal pleasure. We often use the internet as a way to make those connections with

others. This is the story of a chance online meeting of two women from different states and how they became friends — one, an intuitive artist from New York who finds images within paint and paper, and the other an artist from Texas who magically eco-dyes fabric and paper. This is what happened when two hearts and two sets of hands met and became connected.

In the fall of 2018, Patricia attended a retreat hosted by Lesley Riley where she learned how to eco-dye fabric and paper, which was a whole new way to express creativity for her. However, it was not the dyeing process that spoke to her heart; it was the images that appeared within the markings of the paper that brought excitement. After returning home she wanted to purchase eco-dyed paper to continue creating this way, and her search led her to Deb. They quickly became friends, and together they explored what they each brought forward with their creativity. This collaboration came about when Patricia received some beautiful eco-dyed fabric from Deb instead of the paper that she usually used. Immediately finding images and painting them, her heart that knew more needed to be done with these to bring them to life. The pieces began to travel back and forth between these two states, these two sets of hands, these two hearts.

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As a child of the ’60s, Deb’s mom taught her how to tie-dye T-shirts. To this day, as a 62-year-old woman, she still wears that groovy clothing. Now that she lives in the desert of Terlingua, she has become a self-taught eco-dyer of papers and fabrics, and foraging for local botanicals has become her new art form. She encourages you to experiment with what you already have in your own backyard or kitchen. There are no mistakes here, and no science.

ABOUT THE DYEING PROCESSGather some small pieces of 100% cotton, wool, linen, or silk. This can be found at thrift stores or maybe even that old worn, ripped, and stained skirt you avoid wearing. I like to find vintage linensnapkins, tablecloths, and even bed sheets. Rip them into small, manageable pieces, like the size of a pillowcase or smaller. Soak them for a few minutes in vinegar-water solution (one part vinegar to three parts water). Now gather some random bits and pieces of leaves, flower petals, tea bags, turmeric powder, and red or yellow onion skins. Locate some rusty washers, nuts, bolts, bottle caps, or tin-can lids. You want flat, smooth pieces. Spread your treasures in a single layer on top of your fabric piece and begin to roll up tightly like a cigar. Wrap and tie with cotton string. If you live in a hot, sunny climate, place inside a large glass jar and submerge in water, and leave in the sun for a couple days. Another method is to use a roaster or steamer (dedicated to art, not meal prep). Steaming for a couple hours will draw out the natural botanical colors, and your one-of-a-kind fabric piece will reveal the magic and you will be hooked.

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Patricia has had an artist’s heart all her life. Her passion is intuitively finding images within paint placed on paper or canvas. Intuitive painting is the process of allowing each layer of paint to direct you to what comes next, letting go of any fear or expectations. Finding the images is a phenomenon called pareidolia, which means seeing patterns such as faces and images in everyday objects.

Intuitive painting is a practice that requires you to use your imagination and to truly listen to what your heart is telling you. Holding the fabric or paper, turn it in different directions and look for patterns and images that appear within the markings made from nature. Allowing yourself to be freer with your creativity will then bring about a deep connection with your spirit by letting things go the way your heart truly wants them to. Intuitive painting allows you to stretch yourself creatively. Remember looking up at the clouds and seeing images? There was no resistance, it was not difficult to do, but rather you found joy and happiness when you found an image. Intuitive painting is the same thing: seeing images and then making them come to life on fabric or paper.

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Slow stitching is a way to slow down your body, rest your busy head, and be in the present moment with no agenda. No pattern. No direction. Simply be with a threaded needle and a small swatch of fabric. Weave that needle up and down in a Zen-like motion. Occasionally picking up a bead or three to add sparkle and texture. The organic results with a hand-stitched character are not only pleasing to the eye but they also add strength and character to the piece, unlike a sewing machine line.

Never be afraid to reach out to an artist you admire. You never know how much your life will change from that connection. Each piece shown here is a reminder of the connection, love, and sisterhood that artists share. Each piece is a reminder that our hearts and hands are the instruments that make each of us unique and whole. Each piece is a testament to how art connects us in so many ways, even if we have never met in person, even though we may live miles apart from each other. Sharing who we are and what we do as artists is the common link that connects us to each others’ hands and hearts. This collaboration brought forward a friendship that will continue and remind us of our connection of spirit when we look at the pieces we created together.

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