Creative eco-print workshops: discover art and nature at Lake Warnitz!

Creative eco-print workshops: discover art and nature at Lake Warnitz!

In the midst of the autumn colors around the Warnitz bathing area, Andrea Speer presents a very special studio concept. In a small wooden house, affectionately called “Pigalle” by the locals, she invites creative minds to her ecoprint workshops. These take place not only in spring and summer, but also in the atmospheric months of autumn and winter. “Here you can get very close to nature,” says Speer, the self-taught artist who discovered her passion for designing and experimenting in 2019.

The studio was once a popular lakeside café and the origin of the name is still unclear today. Andrea Speer took the opportunity to set up an open-air gallery there. She shows her fashion creations, pictures and art objects every day, as soon as the weather permits. If it rains, the studio will simply be opened and she plans to hold pre-Christmas markets on a few weekends.

Ecoprint as an art form

But what exactly is ecoprinting? It is a natural dyeing technique that uses plant materials such as leaves, flowers and fruits to create unique patterns on fabric or paper. “The colors and designs are often unpredictable and that’s what makes them so appealing,” explains Speer. The method combines creativity with sustainability and only uses natural materials such as maple, eucalyptus and centuries-old tree species such as black walnut.

For anyone who wants to get hands-on, the Ecoprint workshops are just the thing. Andrea offers instructions for beginners and advanced users. After gathering ingredients - from fresh leaves to flowers - the material is arranged onto the paper or fabric to be printed and then steamed or boiled to transfer the colors. Each creation is as unique as the plants used!

Culture and creativity combined

Andrea Speer, who previously lived in Chile for twelve years and worked there as a freelance photographer, has always had a good feel for creative processes. Her artwork is often inspired by cranes, which act as a symbol of elegance and hope in many of her works. In her studio, not only decorative pieces are created, but also a connection to nature and engagement with it. “Ecoprinting is a meditative practice – in every workshop participants can clear their heads and be inspired by nature,” says Speer.

The upcoming events, including the Advent festival on December 20th, also promise a festive atmosphere: guests can look forward to a contemplative time with mulled wine, hot apple juice and hands-on activities.

For anyone interested: If you would like to find out more about the workshops or register, you can do so directly from Andrea Speer. Visit her studio in “Pigalle” and be inspired by the art of ecoprinting!

Nordkurier reports, Lost in Colors explained, Instructables gives tips.