Today we’d like to introduce you to John Coburn.
Hi John, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began listening to a lot of Grateful Dead back in 1977-79 and quickly became a Deadhead. I would go to as many Grateful Dead shows as I could get to in the late 70’s and early 80’s. It was then in 1983 I thought I’d try making some tie dye shirts to sell at the shows we were going to at Red Rocks in Colorado. I grabbed a few boxes of RIT dye from the store and dyed up about 20 shirts. We had a great time at the shows and I sold out of my shirts. That was my first introduction to tie dye. Fast forward a few years. My daughter brought a tie dye kit home one weekend and her and a girlfriend dyed up some shirts. As I watched them do these, of course I started to get the itch again for dyeing. And I haven’t stopped since, and that was back in 2015.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
When I started dyeing again in 2015, things had changed a bit, way better dyes. With starting a new craft there’s always obstacles to hurdle. Learning to use the Procion dyes took a bit getting used to, it’s always a learning session whenever I tie and dye something. The only way to get better is to keep practicing. And I do that, pretty much every weekend.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I try to always make something different and unusual. I do make the basics, swirls and scrunches, but I like to create different folds and ties that I haven’t seen before. I’m most proud to see someone wearing my shirt, that is why I do it.. The fact that someone actually wanted to buy something that I made still remains the coolest part.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The Covid crisis has been pretty overwhelming for everybody. Probably the most important thing I’ve learned is to always think about other people first and not as much about myself.
Contact Info:
- Email: morningdewtydye@gmail.com
- Instagram: john_coburn_tie_dye
- Facebook: John Coburn Tie Dye
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