Please note: this is an online workshop taught via Zoom.
In this workshop you will learn how to create different shades from ordinary spices and tea such as turmeric, saffron, and black tea and start painting with them.
This is an introduction to getting to know the world of natural colors, pay more attention to your environment and nature around you, and find meditation and relaxation through the process of creating your own colors and paint from accessible materials in your kitchen.
No artistic background is needed! Though our joyful and playful process, everyone will be ready to open up their creative self.
You can follow the process through the workshop or do it after by watching the recording provided.
Materials needed
- turmeric powder (2T.)
- black tea (2T).
- saffron (1t.)
- hot water
- sugar cubes (3)
- mortar and pestle
- four 250 ml glass cups (regular cups)
- one small jar for saving saffron
- small sauce dishes for mixing baking soda, lemon juice
- baking soda (1T)
- one lemon
- funnels
- coffee filters
- measuring spoons and cups
- watercolor brushes
- watercolor paper
- paper towels
- water
- hair dryer
About Saya Benham:
Sayeh (Saya) Benham is a mixed media artist with over 20 years of experience in painting. She creates her own inks and colors from natural flowers, plants, spices, and earth pigments. She believes her art is a co-creating process with nature and loves working with Persian and Asian flowers and spices such as saffron, turmeric, tea, hibiscus, safflower, and more. Her paintings are in different collections such as the US Department of Transportation, DC Commission for the Art and Humanities, The law firm of Wiley Rein LLP. She has received numerous awards from the Washington DC Global Art Awards, Middle East Art Collector Association, Wall Street Journal, Hermes Creative Awards, and the League of American Communications Professionals. She has a BS in Biology from Tehran University and numerous certificates from the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC.