Herbs and Heirlooms
L: Photo by Sara Friedle-Putnam for Seed Savers Exchange
Supporting organizations that preserve the natural world is part of Mazy Path’s mission. In that spirit, I’m delighted to share news of my creative collaboration with Seed Savers Exchange, an Iowa-based nonprofit that protects the biodiversity of our food system by preserving rare, heirloom, and open-pollinated varieties of seeds.
Grandma Einck’s Dill Limited Edition Linocut Print
In partnership with the Seed Savers team, I’ve created a limited-edition linocut print featuring a special heirloom herb: Grandma Einck’s Dill. Named for the grandmother of Seed Savers Exchange co-founder, Diane Ott Whealy, Grandma Einck’s Dill is an heirloom dill variety that is only available through Seed Savers Exchange. Grandma Einck’s Dill is known for its fragrant heads and feathery foliage. This special dill first appeared in Ott Whealy’s grandparents’ garden in Festina, Iowa, in the 1920s. With its remarkable flavor, the dill became a favorite both at the family dinner table and at local exhibitions, winning multiple blue ribbons at the Winneshiek County Fair.
Grandma Einck’s Dill Limited Edition Linocut Print
The print, fittingly titled Grandma Einck’s Dill, features Grandma Einck’s Dill paired with cucumber and basil (ideal dill companion plants) and a black swallowtail butterfly which relies on dill as a host plant.
The process of creating Grandma Einck’s Dill
Making the print began with studying photos of Grandma Einck’s Dill for inspiration, composing a series of sketches, and transferring my drawings onto three blocks. Next I carved, inked and printed the blocks, allowing twenty four hours of drying time for each layer of ink and making sure that the registration lined up every time. Planning and patience are the handmaidens of printmaking!
Grandma Einck’s Dill Limited Edition Linocut Print
Grandma Einck’s Dill is for sale for $200. The edition consists of 35 prints, and half of all sales will be donated to Seed Savers Exchange to support their efforts to conserve unique seed varieties and build a “network of gardeners, farmers and educators committed to protecting our planet’s natural beauty and agricultural diversity.”
We invite to purchase Grandma Einck’s Dill; an heirloom for your wall will help keep heirlooms on our tables!