María Ángeles Herrero

Ambatik

Silk painter

A versatile medium for colour

María Ángeles has been colouring silk since the early 2000s
Her great passion is experimenting with colours and various techniques
She produces a variety of objects, from earrings to lampshades

María Ángeles Herrero studied at the School of Art in Toledo, where she took courses in printing techniques, dyeing, as well as other artistic disciplines. "I also learned by attending workshops held in Madrid and other cities to which I travelled when courses were offered," she says. "When I was studying, my father passed away, and I had to start working. I began to teach workshops with the artisanal techniques I had learned, and that is how it all began." Her workshop is called Ambatik. "I usually work all the designs freehand, often without an established pattern. I am passionate about mixing colours when they are wet," adds María Ángeles. "I am inspired by the surroundings or any image or object that catches my attention, especially the tones of nature. When I am commissioned by a company, I usually draw inspiration from the brand and its meaning, in what they want to convey."

Interview

At what point did you decide to pursue your craft as a career?: I always liked entrepreneurship, and I did not hesitate to start marketing my work. It was more satisfying for me to work for myself because of the freedom. It was a continuous challenge and still is, to be able to create and have fun with a manual occupation. Colours make me feel good. I cannot imagine doing anything else.
What is your relationship with natural silk?: Natural silk hooks you. When you dye it, you bring the material to life. With silk, you can work with many techniques. There are infinite ways to dye or print – printing techniques, natural dyes, acid dyes – or to mix various techniques and materials. You always get results and can use fabrics to create fashion, accessories, or decoration.
What techniques do you use to colour your pieces?: Several: Gutta on silk, batik, or watercolour. Silk is a material that lends itself to traditional and precise techniques for controlling dyes. However, when using it freely, letting the dyes flow to create textures, it makes me have fun and explore free patterns.
Is there any relationship between your work and the place where you live?: Yes. Inspiration, calm, and freedom to create. My workshop is in my grandparents' old house. My town is small and it allows me to be in touch with the place and value work in rural areas.

María Ángeles Herrero is a master artisan: she began her career in 2005 and she started teaching in 2005