Saturday, May 12, 2012

Tannins

My rusty gears' resting period is nearly at end. They've enjoyed their time in the elements and have a nice healthy coat of natural oxidation. And, to be honest, I've been suffering withdrawal symptoms. My winter rusting season served well to make a true addict of me. After all, my Tumblr page isn't called Rust Junkie for nothing.

At some point in the winter season, I began to wonder about tannins. What plants are they found in? What foods or drinks are they in? Is there a difference in the tannins/levels in green tea vs black tea? Is a tannin a tannin regardless of what it's found in? 

The question that persisted in niggling at my creative mind - especially each morning when I enjoy a pot of jasmine green tea - is how would green tea rust? Only one way to find out...just do it.

My last trip to Costco found me bringing home a jumbo box of green tea bags. At first glance, it seemed to have rusted just as black tea would - with the tannins turning to a lovely black/grey color.

 Yet as I unwrapped and unfolded the cotton another color kept coming to mind.

Still wet from just being unbundled, all I could think while marveling at this piece was indigo. There's a blue tingle to the rusted areas that didn't exist with the black teas.




 green tea #1 dry

Even dry, I still see hints of blue in the grey. An internet search on tannins in green tea vs black tea supplied one answer on the subject. Green tea has a higher tannin content than black tea due to not being left to oxidize. Of course, this just makes me wonder if white tea has a higher tannin content than green tea and how it would rust. Hmmm...

20 comments:

  1. The bundles are beautiful as well. Sooooo....how much tea do I have to buy for the artist retreat...black, white, green?

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    1. Hmmm...white or green. Take your pick with which is cheapest. I'll throw a few washers into the box. The smallest gear is shippable as are the finials. And we know where to buy white cotton. Then again, there should be a 50% off coupon from Joann's here somewhere.

      Actually, I'd like to experiment with rusting paper. Need a good thick watercolor stock to soak in the tea before laying out a few rusted elements. Know where we can get that? I'll stop by Jerry's tomorrow. Think there's a paper sale happening right now.

      By the way, have I mentioned that the 27th can't come soon enough?

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  2. I'll buy the tea for sipping.....no need to ship the gears.....just bring yourself and your "rustles". We can get the paper here and no need to ship any! This is going to be fun!

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  3. Soooo beautiful! You are on a roll with all this...
    How long are you at Pam's? I'm down in Savannah but coming back on the 27th. Maybe we could figure out a time to Skype if you are there for the week. I'd love to see what the 2 of you are up to. It might get me back in the studio!

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    1. I'll be at Pam's May 27-June 3. Do you have Skype now? If so, we'll definitely have to figure out a time to talk and have a show and tell session.

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    2. Back home fr NJ...even managed to fit a quick bridge walk in on the ride back! I would love a show and tell. At some pt I'd like to ask more questions about your process...not for the doing...but for the understanding.

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    3. Give me a call whenever you have time and want to talk more. Hope you had a good weekend in NJ. The hamsa you did for your mother-in-law is great!

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  4. mmmmmmmm - that looks really, really delicious. Green tea. I wonder if it changes things when you are rusting paper as well. Will need to try it out - or if you get to rust some paper soon, I will see what you say in your blog! Love the grey blues ......

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    1. Susan, the green tea rusted so differently that it was, and still is, a huge surprise. The fabric had just barely dyed when soaked in the green tea as compared to black tea, but nothing prepared me for the results. 9 tea bags were used on this first piece.

      #2 is a 60" x 72" piece of cotton soaked in a brew using 17 green tea bags for over 24 hours. It is now bundled and happily rusting. Think I'll leave it til Thursday...unless my curiosity gets the better of me.

      I'm very curious about rusting papers. That may just be part of what I do during my week at Pam's house - what we've dubbed our Artist Retreat. We go into her studio and work...just work. It's sheer bliss.

      If you experiment with green tea - mine is matcha green tea if that makes any difference, it was what the bulk grocery store had - I'd love to see the results. Happy rusting!

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  5. indigo! how intriguing!
    have you tried rusting with red tea?
    i know it stains the most delicious amber shade.

    i've been thinking about tannins as well,
    since i read they inhibit the assimilation
    of iron. should i be worried about my
    extreme intake of black/green tea & red wine?

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    1. Red tea? Hmmm...hadn't considered that one. I'll have to add it to my "what if" list.

      Should you be worried about your extreme intake of black/green tea & red wine? I have no idea. If you find out, please let me as they are my favorites too. Although, I do tend to drink a lot of water during the day too. Who knows?

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  6. I love what l am seeing here..gorgeous. I am rusting starting to use favoured tea to rust with...will let you know the outcome...so excitingx Lynda

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    1. Thank you Linda! Opening this bundle was so much fun...got another rusting away using the green tea. Which tea are you using to rust with? Can't wait to see your results. Enjoy!

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  7. so exciting
    all of this gorgeous what if-ing
    crazy about this new cool blue gray
    really love this new one
    so rustalicious!

    xox - eb.

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    1. What ifs are wondrous adventures, don't you think?

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  8. Truly amazing - now you are indigo-rusting! Isn't it extraordinary the difference? It feels like cool winter, snow rusting, not warm summery rusting. Hmmm

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    1. I was shocked by the difference. Exstatically so, but shocked all the same. The cotton had barely been colored by soaking in the green. I could see that the tannins were turning blackish during the rusting process, but nothing prepared me for the results! Green tea #2 is rusting as I type.

      Just this morning I was thinking of exhibit of rusted fabrics based on the seasons and using vinegar and teas. Wonder what results white tea would bring? Anca asked about red...

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  9. I've been away and now enjoying catching up with all your tannin experiments. The green tea pieces really appeal to me. We have rooisbos tea here (a red tea) that stains wood a pinky rust colour.

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    1. I saw your photos this morning...have looked at them twice so far. I keep wanting to comment, but get so engrossed that all intelligent thought just flits away and all that I'm capable of uttering is "Oh!".

      Right now, I have a second green tea piece rusting as well as my first red tea piece. Curiosity will no doubt get the better of me and I'll sneak a peak so to how the red tea is rusting. The studio still smells delicious from its aroma.

      Welcome home!

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