The VACMA artist bursary funded a period of research, walking and mapping Musselburgh’s landscape through it’s seasonal plants. Walking along the River Esk and through the Musselburgh lagoons, I foraged through spring for plant pigments.

A mixture of riparian plants along the water and self seeding weeds in the regenerated lagoons. I created, hand-made paper artefacts and fibre forms.

The cyclical nature between plant and soil was revealed, in discovering dandelion pigment as an effective fertiliser for soil. High in nitrogen it provides a nutrient rich source for the soil, supporting plant life to flourish. The most interesting aspect of this research was the discoveries made, in the making of the pigments. In the residue and in the plant matter that was left over. I think this speaks to a wider conversation surrounding sustainable ways of making art and the value we place on the fixed outcome.

The work exists here, in the residue and the traces left over.