lucid-donicalarade

Heading: Text Reads: Donica Larade (in pink drawn font). Background image is a moonlit landscape with the silhouette of grass, and bushes bordering a swirl of green Northern Lights.

"to sleep we must dream"

By Donica Larade

Cyanotype quilt

In my first piece as a fabric artist, “to sleep we must dream”, I created a quilt using dozens of cyanotypes I’ve printed, composed of plants, animals and fungi that grew in Nova Scotia during the spring and early summer. I emphasized both local and invasive species, as well as delicious edibles or traditional medicinal species. My familiarity with these local species and their uses couldn’t have been achieved without the traditional knowledge of the Mi’kmaq people.

My work is often centred around the natural world and our relationship with it, and this piece was inspired by a future I dream of where we respect local wildlife. Common and uncommon, big and small, misconceptions around species are lost when you change your perspective and view a subject as a blue silhouette. My work was heavily inspired by our discussions on nature, art, relationships, disability and self (to name a few!), as well as many wonderful quotes from Braiding Sweetgrass.

Special thank-you to Vie Jones, Sylvia Bell, and Christine Anstey.

Donica's quilt, made of cyanotype prints, is draped over the ruin of an old stone fence. Forest greenery and goldenrod surround the quilt as its blue fabric shows up in vibrant contrast. There are many patches on the quilt with various prints.

Donica's quilt, made of cyanotype prints, is draped across a fallen tree. Forest greenery and deadwood surrounds the quilt as its blue fabric shows up in vibrant contrast. There are many patches on the quilt with various prints.

Donica's quilt, made of cyanotype prints, fills the image. There are many patches on the quilt with various prints. Prints include: three feathers, various leaves and flowers. At the corner of each square there are white strings tied in bows.

Donica's quilt, made of cyanotype prints, is hung between two clothes lines giving it a the illusion of movement. The backdrop is a green hilly landscape in vibrant contrast with the cyan quilt. There are many patches on the quilt with various prints.

Donica's rectangular quilt, made of cyanotype prints, is hung up along the length on a clothes line. The quilt separates blue sky from a backdrop of green landscape wth two small wooden structures. There are many patches on the quilt with various prints.

Heading Text Reads: Cyanotype Quilt Blocks (in light blue drawn font) the text is on a blue-black spotted backdrop. There is a the white drawn outline of a pleated skirt in the left of the image.

Gallery Image: blue cyanotype print on white fabric: print of six feathers of different shapes and sizes.

Gallery Image: blue cyanotype print on white fabric: print of a circle made of vines, leaves and flowers.

Gallery Image: blue cyanotype print on white fabric: print of a series of thin feathers lined up from longest on the left to shortest on the right.

Gallery Image: blue cyanotype print on white fabric: print of a frog.

Gallery Image: blue cyanotype print on white fabric: circle print of two - three flowers and stems.

Gallery Image: All previous prints and more are laid out in a grid on a white dotted floor. The blue of the prints is a vibrant contrast to the rest of the image. Two hands are touching the prints at one end of the grid.

Gallery Image: Many prints are laid on a white dotted floor. The blue of the prints is a vibrant contrast to the rest of the image. Two people, including Donica sit on the floor behind the grid. Donica is wearing a green one-piece and is talking.

Gallery Image: Many prints are laid on a white dotted floor. The blue of the prints is a vibrant contrast to the rest of the image. Donica sits on the floor behind the grid explaining something to three onlookers.

Heading Text Reads: Cyanotype process (in light blue drawn font) the text is on a blue-black spotted backdrop. There is a the white drawn outline of a pleated skirt in the left of the image.

Gallery Image: the pre-printed materials for a Cyanotype print are laid out on a piece of white cloth. Materials include: fern leaves, fiddle head ferns and feathers.

Gallery Image: the pre-printed materials for a Cyanotype print are laid out on a piece of white paper. There is a brown dotted splash on white paper with a few leaves and spindles of some material.

Gallery Image: the pre-printed materials for a Cyanotype print are laid out on a sandy background. Materials are a series of thin feathers lined up from longest on the left to shortest on the right.

Gallery Image: the pre-printed materials for a Cyanotype print are floating in a blue substance. Materials are a white square of cloth with a large circle cut out. Inside of the circle are three green leaves.

Gallery Image: the pre-printed material for a Cyanotype print is laid out on a white cloth enclosed in a clear casing. The Material is the body of a brown amphibian.

Gallery Image: the middle-stage of a Cyanotype print. On a white cloth is a blue circle, on the circle still being printed are three daisy flowers on their stems with a few leaves.

Gallery Image: the middle-stage of a Cyanotype print. On a white cloth is a blue circle, on the circle- still being printed- is a Purple-Siberian-Iris flower on its stem.

Gallery Image: the middle-stage of a Cyanotype print. On a white cloth is a blue rectangle - partially dry, on the rectangle- still being printed- are feathers of various sizes and shapes as well as a very small birds nest.

Bio

Donica is a multi disciplinary artist that reimagines traditional scientific illustrations and creates autobiographical comics. Her background in science has given her a unique perspective and appreciation for the natural world, and her creative family that has helped her to foster her artistic skills.

Science communication through art inspires their work, and they love to learn (and help others learn!).

Foraging during the pandemic has also influenced their practice, and they are passionate about highlighting local species and reconnecting with their environment through sustainable affordable food. They began freelance illustrating in February 2022 and are so thankful for the challenges and successes they’ve faced as an artist. You can find their previous work on banners in the North End, selling their wares in local businesses throughout Kjipuktuk, and an upcoming gallery show “Re-imagining conservation”.

Heading Text Reads: What Kind Of Future Do You Dream Of? (in pink drawn font) the text is on a blue-black spotted backdrop with a blue swirl of northern lights. There is a white bird mid-flight in the left of the image.

Footer image is a moonlit landscape with the silhouette of grass, and hills bordering a light grean-blue central sparkling clearing.

Using Format