The Mushroom Color Atlas: A Guide to Dyes and Pigments Made from Fungi
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Description
Discover the chromatic wonders of the fungi kingdom and the incredible spectrum of pigments and dyes that can be created from mushrooms.
“This stunning book is the result of years of creative experimentation. Mushrooms are chemical wizards, and Julie Beeler is a masterful guide to the spectrum of pigments they can make. I have spent many happy moments lost in the fungal colorscapes contained in this exquisitely produced volume.” ―Merlin Sheldrake, author of Entangled Life
More closely related to humans than they are to plants, fungi are fascinating organisms—and they are a rich resource for color collectors! Blending scientific detail, botanical illustrations, and creative inspiration, artist and educator Julie Beeler invites you to peek into her workroom as she introduces different types of dye mushrooms—from boletes to polypores to tooth fungi—and walks you through her color-harvesting process. Offering insightful tips on foraging and color distillation and a rainbow of color samples, Beeler peppers in down-to-earth advice on artistic experimentation and fascinating stories about the historical and personal connections between humans and nature, offering a fresh perspective on the magical world of mushrooms.
UNIQUE FIELD GUIDE TO MUSHROOMS: This guide will take you on a vibrant journey through identifying and collecting dye mushrooms to distilling an astonishing range of colors from each one. The five hundred color swatches included in these pages showcase an astounding array of natural dyes and pigments made from mushrooms.
A PRACTICAL AND INSPIRATIONAL GUIDE: The Mushroom Color Atlas combines step-by-step instructions for hands-on color creation with impressive hues and eye-catching palettes. Whether you're a working designer or an emerging artist, a full-time forager or an armchair mycologist, you will find something to love in this unique exploration of science and color.
GO NATURAL: The rewarding hands-on experience of working with mushroom dyes and pigments is a powerful way to feel intimately connected to nature. Beeler invites readers to forge their own creative connection to the natural world, offering advice on ethical foraging, artistic experimentation, and the abundant possibilities afforded to us by the small but mighty mushroom.
Perfect for:
- Mushroom enthusiasts, foragers, amateur mycologists, and nature lovers
- Artists; fashion, graphic, and interior designers; any professional who incorporates color into their work
- Crafters and creative hobbyists
- Color enthusiasts and people interested in natural dyes and pigments
- Anyone interested in sustainable fashion and textile arts
Praise for The Mushroom Color Atlas: A Guide to Dyes and Pigments Made from Fungi
“This stunning book is the result of years of creative experimentation. Mushrooms are chemical wizards, and Julie Beeler is a masterful guide to the spectrum of pigments they can make. I have spent many happy moments lost in the fungal colorscapes contained in this exquisitely produced volume.” —Merlin Sheldrake, author of Entangled Life
“The Mushroom Color Atlas is a phenomenally beautiful, technically detailed, and comprehensive exploration of using mushrooms as natural dyes. Julie’s book is incredibly well organized both by mushroom species and color aesthetics. The overviews, illustrations, and accurate information make this a must-have resource for anyone interested in dyeing with mushrooms.” —Dr. Gordon Walker, author of Dr. Fun Guy's Passport to Kingdom Fungi
“This book is as exquisite as it is comprehensive. A dazzling resource that belongs on every mycophile’s bookshelf.” —Eugenia Bone, author of Mycophilia
“The saying, ‘nature has the answers,’ is reflected in Julie Beeler’s The Mushroom Color Atlas, a book that unlocks a magical and mystical mushroom palette that has always been here, if only we know where to look. This essential guide for artists and makers in search of natural pigments and dyes has changed my own understanding of color—and inspires me to explore Julie’s simple methods for transforming mushrooms into hues both earthy and vibrant. What a tribute to a more sustainable expression of color, design, and craft!” —Debra Prinzing, author of Slow Flowers and The 50 Mile Bouquet
“Richly illustrated, clearly written, and comprehensive, The Mushroom Color Atlas is a must-have for any dye library. It’s more than that, too, and will be of interest to anyone who is curious about the world around them. Beeler has produced a beautiful and engaging resource that’s easily devourable cover to cover or that readers can dip in and out of, exploring the world of fungi at their own pace and returning to as they need. It’s an exciting addition to the genre, and I look forward to taking it out on a forage this autumn. —Lauren MacDonald, author of In Pursuit of Color
“Julie Beeler’s The Mushroom Color Atlas is a MUST for the natural pigment artist or anyone curious about the color of the natural world. It truly has my creative mind spinning and a new perspective on what mushrooms I’ll be collecting this season.” —Jess Starwood, author of Mushroom Wanderland
