Try it and See: The Story Behind Mushroom Dyes

I’m excited to share that my brother Martin and I created our first documentary: Try It and See: The Story Behind Mushroom Dyes. We tell the story of our mother, Dorothy Beebee, and her history as a natural dyer, fiber artist, and illustrator for the first book written about mushroom dyes, Let’s Try Mushrooms for Color by Miriam Rice.

This little book, first published 50 years ago, spread the art and science of mushroom dyeing around the world. It laid the groundwork for mushrooms dyers today.

My brother and I know our mom is awesome. She is a mushroom dye encyclopedia and a novel full of stories. We want more of the world to know her history. She agreed to participate because she wants Miriam Rice, the godmother of mushroom dyes, to be honored.

Our previous videography experience was a bit limited. We’ve created 10-minute natural dye tutorials on our YouTube channel for several years. And part of the fun was trying new methods of filming or editing for each one. However, creating an hour-long documentary is a whole different situation!  It was a flying-by-the-seat-of-our-pants experience and a whole lot of fun.

In June our documentary was included in the Mendocino Film Festival. It was an unexpected bonus and huge honor! And what a perfect setting for our film to be shown to a live audience: Mendocino, California is where Miriam lived, and her mushroom dye research began.

My mom and I traveled to Mendocino to enjoy the event, watch our film in an auditorium with an audience, and end it with a Q&A with Miriam’s daughter, Felicia Rice.

It was a weekend neither of us will ever forget.

With the film festival over, we can now share our film again with everyone via YouTube. We hope you enjoy it and feel inspired to also, try it and see.