More Paper Art...

Check THIS Out!!!...

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Simon-Schubert-folded-paper-artwork/ss/events/en/042611simonschuber/im:/ydownload/20110426/photos_net_web_en/1303860402/#photoViewer=/ydownload/20110426/photos_net_web_en/1303860402

I LOVE PAPER!

Updated Sketches

Sample Storyboard

Sample Exhibit

Consistency Is Key

Fortunately I was able to make it into RedLine twice this week! My choice pulp, yet again, was browns...something about earth tones really excites me with this project. Interestingly though, my challenge was to maintain a certain level of consistency amongst each sheet. In other words, I had to test the pulp for a desirable mixture, as well as ensuring that each sheet created was identical in thickness. All I have to say is that I am getting better with practice.

Since my project has reached the state of construction, I have begun creating the foundation of each broadside...the dimensions will be 5'X11". However, RedLine's papermaking studio is limited when it comes to vats, screens, and presses. That means I have been creating the largest sheets available: 11"X14". Because I will ultimately be connecting these sheets lengthwise to establish the 5', consistency will be very important.

On the illustrative front, I have been collecting reference photos to help develop storyboards. Once my sketches and narrative become finalized, I will be ready to initiate collaging. This is a very exciting time for me, seeing as how I am enamored with process!

On My Way...

Well, Saturday is the big day! I will FINALLY begin creating the foundation of my broadside(s). As you can see in the images below, my brown pulp will serve as a great option for the base; it is neutral, bold, and highly complementary of any add-ons I choose to create. Add-ons will include, and are not limited to: tree moldings, dangling paper owls, and layers of extra thin papers with inverted silhouettes. The trick is going to be connecting each sheet of paper so that I end up with a broadside that is 10 feet long, 11 inches high, OR, 5 feet long, 11 inches high. I am still torn between creating one large broadside, OR, a few shorter broadsides, that would display in a stacked fashion. But for now, my focus is to create a consistent and uniform grouping of paper.

These are the top 15 examples of the papers I have been making these past two weeks:

brown and cotton mix, lamination, after 10 minutes

brown and cotton mix, painted additions, after 5 minutes

brown mix, after 15 minutes

brown mix, after 10 minutes

brown and cotton mix, embossing, after 20 minutes

brown mix, splattered with cotton, after 15 minutes

brown mix, after 30+ minutes

brown and sand mix, after 20 minutes

cotton and brown mix, after 20 minutes

cotton and brown mix, after 30 minutes

extra thin, text weight mix

text weight mix, after 10 minutes

lamination

extra thin, text weight mix

lamination

Take A Close Look...

THIS is inspiration!...Yes, Yes, and Yes!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNlwh8vT2NU&feature=relmfu

Glad to know that I am headed in a VERY inspiring direction:)...

Book Arts?...What's That?...

Check out this couple who are taking the nation by storm, exposing communities to what Artist's Books are!!!...


http://indianapublicmedia.org/arts/wandering-book-artists-bloomington/

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...