Natascha is a marbling artist working with the traditional Japanese technique ‘Suminagashi’, blending heritage with modernity in her craft. Her QEST Scholarship supports her development of sustainable, botanical oil-based inks, following the closure of her previous supplier. Natascha will refine her ink-making skills through a course at Plants & Colour, using materials such as raw plants, mushrooms, and earths. She will study botanical pigments at Sanborn Mills Farm in Boston, with Natalie Stopka, and receive further online training with Natalie in surface design techniques and the material history of colour.
By experimenting with botanical sources, Natascha creates vibrant colours with an organic quality that reflects nature. As her marbling evolves into landscapes, she will use botanical inks to deepen the connection between her work and the environment, telling the story of a place through both its imagery and materials.
Natascha aims to share her journey through workshops and talks, encouraging other artists to adopt sustainable practices. By demonstrating the potential of botanical inks in marbling, she hopes to inspire a more eco-conscious craft community in the UK, fostering collaboration and sustainability within the craft of marbling.
