Ashlee Weitlauf is a book artist exploring natural pigments, working as a book conservator at the University of Oregon Knight Library. She is a seed and plant enthusiast who finds the convergence of plants and pigments to be irresistible. The artist's work appears in Wild Pigment Project, a group exhibition that's on view at form & concept through early December.
The international show (and the project that inspired it) promotes ecological balance and regenerative economies through a passion for wild pigments, their places of origin, and their cultural histories. Read an interview between Wild Pigment Project curator Tilke Elkins and Weitlauf here, and check out more words from the artist below.
Artist statement
Ashlee Weitlauf is a book artist exploring natural pigments. While working as a book conservator at the University of Oregon Knight Library she was introduced to the research of history professor Vera Keller. This introduction to Keller’s work inspired the exploration of pigments. She is a seed and plant enthusiast that finds the convergence of plants and pigments to be irresistible.
Petal Wheel was made during a time I was creating lake pigments from plants in my back yard. Each plant held surprises which kept me wanting to try one more plant after another. As someone that enjoys studying seeds and watching the process of plants growing and developing, creating pigments from them was just another logical step to take in the quest of learning and discovery.
Artist Bio
Born in Paducah, Kentucky, Ashlee Weitlauf received her BFA in Printmaking from the University of Tennessee in 2002 and her MFA in Printmaking/Book Arts at Arizona State University in 2006. Specializing in letterpress printing, bookmaking, and hand papermaking. She started working in book conservation in 2003 while in Arizona.