What do you get when you cross baking and recycling?

Well, today was the big day! Paper-making intro/orientation, followed by 3 hours of studio time, and 18 sheets of paper. The space was very intimate, and yet did not feel enclosed. I was also struck by the amount of recycled materials used in the paper-making process. For instance, I spent most of my scooping time with a Stonyfield Farms yogurt container; I am referring to scooping up the pulp, and pouring it into the muck bucket (pictured below).

Between Dara's orientation and studio time, my overall concept has begun coming full-circle. Outrageously large broadsides anyone? Paper offers an unlimited amount of possibilities. For instance, laminating was my favorite technique that Dara explained. First, you create one sheet of paper, laying it out on the couch. Next, place ribbon, string, flower petals, etc. onto the paper. Finally, create another sheet of paper, using it to sandwich the materials placed on top of the bottom sheet. Once dry, the paper embodies more than just pulp. What is so special about this process? Consider for a moment that I am attempting to, at some capacity, incorporate 3D and 4D elements. Laminating could be exploited in the cross-section between the second and third dimension. Instead of hanging Barred Owls from the ceiling, I can scale down, and have the Barred Owls extend from the broadside via wire; the wire would be hidden and stabilized by the sandwiching of paper fibers. In addition, hand-made paper offers unique characteristics that will cater to letter-pressing my voice.

As of now, my project has evolved into a culmination of 2D, 3D, and 4D, with a strong emphasis on the broadside (2D) itself. Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for paper? Ready or not, here it comes!

Here is a bit of documentation from my studio time today:

 The muck bucket...Each piece fits into the other...

 Top: Brown paper pulp = newspaper, paper bags, vellum, and wax paper; Bottom: White cotton fibers, from a fashion design/textile mill...the portion of fabric that is not usable

Couches hanging to dry...

 The Press: squeezed out the water, presses the pulp together until it adheres and the fibers interlock...

 Pile of 17 hand-made papers...#18 was created using the "pour" method, and is drying via open air...

 The "pour" method of paper-making...

 The "pour" method, continued...

Attempt #3

Decided to change up my medium this time. In addition to my myriad plastic bags, I also have quite a collection of cardboard. This method would need to be a lot more calculated in order for edges to line up properly. Although I did not add the small detailing, my vision was to cover the owls in elaborate/decorative cardboard details. What you see here are the "bone structure" or the owls, which do appear boxy. Out of the three, this was most successful. However, re-visiting the concept is not unreasonable.

Attempt #2

This time I tried the same plastic bag concept, using matte medium and newspaper. Again, did not work as well; the plastic bag kept deflating due to the matte medium, and the newspaper was having a tough time adhering to the surface. Refining will need to happen if I choose to pursue this option.

Attempt #1

Ttried using paper mache mix (celluclay), and plastic bags. The mix worked well, but had a difficult time sticking to the plastic bags. It was also fairly difficult to spread the mix evenly. Good experiment. Needs more refining.

Plastic?

This is a great article about plastic! Consider our world without plastics...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/opinion/18freinkel.html?_r=2

Let's Catch Up

Again, another week and a half have gone by since my last posting. I can assure you that despite my lack of online attendance, my project and concept have continued to evolve. Would you believe me if I said that my concept has come full circle? Well, it has. After discussing my project with a few fellow artists, it is becoming more clear to me that scaling down would be in my best interest; it would ensure more diverse exhibition space options. Right now I am considering:

- coffee houses
- nature centers
- retail space
- galleries that are sending out "call for artist proposals"

Scaling down means that I will be looking to focus more on the broadsides, less on the installation. There will still be elements of the 3rd, and maybe 4th, dimensions. However, I am beginning to cycle back to my original idea of creating one long broadside. I would then create ways for my sculptures to exist as part of the broadside, and perhaps, the wall itself. Once I begin making my papers, I will have a better idea of how to bring my ideas together.

This coming Saturday I will be meeting with Dara Larson to undergo an orientation of making paper at RedLine Studio. I am VERY eager to begin this next step! Here is a list of some of the materials I will be using to create my papers:

- magazines
- newspapers
- blue jeans
- cardboard
- egg cartons
- plastic bags

In addition to creating paper, I have been sketching and constructing mini-mock-ups of Barred Owls - which are one of the threats to the Northern Spotted Owl. I will be posting three variations in the coming days.

Lastly, I have decided to put all of my focus on creating my art for the remainder of the semester. I will continue to research different venues, call for artists opportunities, and other options for exhibiting my show. Right now, I feel as though my mind has been so geared toward finding a venue that I have been neglecting the most important aspect of my show - the art.

A Week Later...

WOW, has a WHOLE week gone by already? Time sure is flying by.

OK, here's the latest scoop...

Last week, I traveled to a paper-making studio located here in Milwaukee, called RedLine Studio: http://www.redlineartmke.org/. My reasoning? Leslie had informed me of the studio's newest exhibition opening (March 4th) called "Pulp Possibilities." Needless to say, my expectations were surpassed. The space was beautiful, the work was stellar, and, as always, the hors d'oeuvres were scrumptious! After observing myriad types of paper, specifically the materials that made up the papers, I am now 127% positive that creating my own handmade papers as broadsides would be the most dynamic decision of my entire show.

While exploring the "Pulp Possibilities" display, I happened to run into Dara Larson (a bookartist, teaching at Alverno, and spends much of her time mentoring and creating paper at RedLine). We talked for a few minutes, and I inquired about renting space in the studio. I am currently in the process of setting up an orientation time with Dara. She asked if I could e-mail a few of my concepts to her. This is what I wrote:

- People make decisions every day. However, they do not always consider how those decisions impact other people, places, or things around the world. For instance, where do wooden pencils and paper come from? What is used to support the structure of a home? How about the kitchen table in your home? The answer is that all wood comes from tees. How does one acquire said wood? Logging.

       - Logging is the effect of consumer demands. The effect of logging is the destruction of old forest, especially in the Northwestern   

         United States. The effect of old forest growth destruction is the loss of the Northern Spotted Owl's habitat. This means that the

         wooden #2 pencils you have been using since elementary school are one of the leading causes for the endangerment of the

         Northern Spotted Owl.

- I understand this message seems a bit grim. However, my goal is to create awareness among my audience. This show is meant to rejuvenate the observer's desire to make a difference; my audience can be the positive cause for protecting the Norther Spotted Owl. To make a difference, one must first understand the need for change.

        - I am looking to create approximately 8 different sheets of handmade paper, each inspired by the leading causes for the Northern

          Spotted Owl's endangerment. For example, the paper representing logging would be created from a variety of papers, old pencil

          shavings, cereal boxes/cardboard, etc.

This coming week is going to be filled with setting up appointments and studio time, creating mock-ups of barred owls, conceptualizing the types of recyclables I hope to use to create my paper, and hammer out more of the aesthetic and logistical workings of my exhibition as a whole.

A Couple More Articles Worth Reading...

Check them out, they are both worth your time:

http://www.yankton.net/articles/2011/02/13/neighbors/doc4d5611258fe3a552049604.txt

http://www.grist.org/article/2011-02-24-montanans-stand-up-to-the-mega-loads