During the autumn and winter of 2018 Nicola installed a purpose built garden studio at Clasheen.
It’s a simple bright light filled wooden building behind the old farmhouse, insulated with sheep’s wool and sited with glorious views towards Slieve Ban and the end of the Blackstairs Mountain range. The studio overlooks various trees that have been planted in recent years, an ever expanding grove which includes eucalyptus, walnut and alder which are wonderful to eco print with.
Leading up to the studio, new borders were laid out in July 2019 and planted with herbaceous perennials and selected shrubs chosen for their suitability to use as print or natural dye plants. As well as providing vegetation for the studio, these support a diverse selection of butterflies, insects, birds and mammals which help convey the wider ecological aspect of Nicola’s sustainable textile practice.
On a good day, it’s wonderful to forage for eco printing vegetation in the garden or hedgerows and enjoy lunch at the picnic table outside. On a rainy day, it’s lovely to work snugly inside to studio and look out at the garden and mountains!
