Natural Pigments

Oil Paint Disaster

I am kind of discouraged after a week of experimenting with making oil paints using natural pigments and linseed oil. The conclusion of my experiments is that it doesn’t work. My pigments all come from soils and I was using linseed oil bought at the local hardware store. The linseed oil turns the pigment powders about five shades darker, and after a week, they still haven’t dried. Linseed oil is supposed to be a “drying oil” meaning that with oxidation a chemical change takes place turning the oil into a dry plastic-like solid. It’s a bit of a shame that this didn’t work since I have 4 liters of linseed oil sitting in our shed.


Playing in the Mud

Yesterday was an absolutely increadible day. It was a I'm-so-glad-I'm-in-Malawi day.
Earlier last week Jon received a text message on his cell from a mysterious sender saying, "Hie Marissa - paintlady says be there Saturday26Aug". Which painter lady? Lilongwe or Mzuzu? Who sent this? I had so many questions, but we were hystarical with laughter because this baffled, utterly confused feeling has become such a part of life.

Eventually we found out that it was Isaac, a friend's housekeeper and my translator for art visits out to the villages. What a sweet person! He had set up a meeting for me to visit a family who paint murals on their house. This would be my second visit, this time I was hoping to learn how they make their paints and conceive their designs.


Walking to the Dambo, looking for Yellow

Walking to the Dambo, looking for Yellow

Making Yellow

Making Yellow

yellow soil + water = Yellow Paint


Making Black

Making Black

Pounded Charcoal + Corn Flour + water + fire = Black Paint


Little One Hanging out at the Kitchen

Little One Hanging out at the Kitchen

This is the family's kitchen


Isaac Finishing My Flower Mural

Isaac Finishing My Flower Mural

This is the flower I painted for the family on their peanut storage structure.


Abstract flower mural on village house

Abstract flower mural on village house

Father Painting Flower Mural

Father Painting Flower Mural

Digging in the Dambo Valley for Gold (aka yellow soil)

Digging in the Dambo Valley for Gold (aka yellow soil)