Dyeing Arts in Motion

Courtesy Alberto Seveso

Just saw this amazing Fluid Dynamics piece and I had to share it. Italian photographer Alberto Seveso has taken close-up photographs of colorful dyes in the instant that they hit the water, creating these gorgeous life-forms that look like fabric or art sculptures. He’s able to get these amazing images because he takes his pictures underwater! These high-speed macrophotographs are really gorgeous to look at, in part because they are so difficult to see in real life – there and gone again in an instant.

There’s something almost not-quite-real about the way these images look, and what’s impressive is that this is such a simple device (dropping some ink in water and watching what happens). Maybe it’s because this holds the same thrall that clouds do to humans – you want to reach out and touch these inks, even though you know that once you do it ruins the effect.

So many knitters, crocheters and indie yarnies deal with dyes all of the time, whether for their business or simply to finish a project (think the Shipwreck Shawl). So it’s amazing to see how the very act of the dye hitting the water can be an art form all of its own.  This image here is part of his newest series, duo Colori. His first underwater ink series was Disastro Ecologico in 2010, and that was considered gorgeous then! Here is his current online gallery.

Advertisement

When in doubt, or just feeling bloated, dye.

I’m in stash overload. I received money for my birthday and my checks for some work finally came in right before Christmas, so as a result I went on a yarn shopping spree the likes of which haven’t been seen in, oh, never. Now, “shopping spree” doesn’t mean that I didn’t get great deals (oh no, trust me. I computed like a little Scrooge McDuck) but it does mean that I bought. alot. of. yarn. all. at. once. And while it was fun at the time, now, a week later, it is all starting to arrive. And I, consequently, am feeling a little bit, shall we say, bloated? No, seriously, I feel like I just bought out the candy store and ate it all at once.

So, naturally, there is nothing to do by get rid of the old stuff!!! This does not, as you may have assumed, mean that I am ridding myself of my current yarns by having some sort of destash or sale. Ha! Please. What it does mean is that I am completing some yarn-related projects. Namely, I am dyeing up a whole bunch of yarn. I dye when the spirit hits me, when I’m in the mood, or when I’m feeling the white, privileged, Protestant guilt of excess.

And so I dyed some yarn! and I’m actually really pleased with myself, because I think that my skills are getting marginally better and that my photography talents are becoming dynamite. Anyways, I was inspired last time I dyed to start a Anne of Green Gables series of dye jobs, and I just decided to continue that this time. So, without further ado, here are:

Bosom Friends

I’m highly pleased with the first one, as it’s far more difficult to manage pale colors than I thought.

Marilla's Raspberry Cordial

The third is great because I was able to use red and orange successfully to create something bold but not bland.

Autumn in Avonlea

And actually, I confess I am a bit in love with the last one.

An Unfortunate Lily Maid

Ok, to bed I must go, because the day is done, I have happily removed this yarn to my Etsy shop, and all is right with my stash. Well, almost. I think more yarn arrives tomorrow!