End of a YEAR

While 2020 has been less than great, over at Four Rabbit HQ we have found a lot of reasons to be grateful.

This year started with a work trip to Italy and an art residency in Cusco, Peru for three weeks in February. Sometimes I still can’t believe I was in Machu Picchu and learning natural dyeing from a master dyer from Chincero. (We made indigo dye using urine! One of the oldest methods for indigo dye recorded and one that I might not ever try again).

Then the world shut down.

During quarantine time was slow. i hadn’t had a minute to rest in the past few years, so this time was really necessary. The first few weeks included sour dough starters, lots of home made pizzas and organizing closets. Once the clutter was cleared ideas started flowing in.

I had time to deep dive into natural dyeing and sewing. I joked that I was in sewing school this spring. I had ordered a Merchant and Mills pattern book a few months back and finally had the time to create a few of the clothes in the book. I learned the proper way to make bias tape and put a zipper in pants and basically how to construct really wearable clothes. As I never studied fashion or any technical sewing this was a real treat.

The first iteration of clothes were made in canvas drop cloth purchased at the local hardware store. Most stores were closed in March and this was a lucky local find. Since the canvas was natural in color it left the perfect blank canvas for dyeing. Not only was I able to deep dive into my love of making clothes, but also in natural dyeing. Exploring a wide range of colors and materials.

I recorded all of these experiments, one a week on my instagram stories and in photos. At the end of the week each tutorial was written out with photos and posted on the website. This was wonderful time of exploration for me. The joy of making these tutorials and making them accessible to everyone during the pandemic was equally fulfilling. (I hope some of you have tried avocado and kitchen scrap dyeing!)

As the summer approached the days got longer and warmer meant plenty of bike rides to the beach. As time went on I enjoyed my lazy afternoons of beach reading and headspace for ideation. I finally got to a space where art making could happen naturally. (At the beginning of quarantine I forced myself to draw and made a few ugly doodles).

The Bandana Board Games were created, then Radical Vision Tarot followed. I was on a self imposed sabbatical. Making art that felt truly free. No time constraints, just to work patiently and slowly on a large series of collages.

At the end of August I went back to work, as a makeup artist on a television show. Happy to be out of the apartment and around people felt great…but I did miss my time at home! Who would have thought after months at home. It was an amazing feeling to finish a television show after working on it for a year! and to think back in January we were in Rome, Italy for a week shooting scenes for the show.

This fall I was able to take my summers work and make it a reality with printed Bandana Board Games and a first edition Radical Vision Tarot deck.

This winter, Four Rabbit has seen the most growth as a business since its inception. So yea. I’ve had a lot to be grateful for. (I should also mention my family and friends, and zoom work outs and new recipes and my ever supportive partner, weekend trips out of the city, good books and lots of naps).

2020 wasn’t a total bust. I hope that I never have to live through another pandemic like this, but I am grateful for the time it gave me. See ya 2020, here’s to more things to be grateful for in 2021.