The Sunday Paper #364

May 23, 2021

I had a lovely interview with Matthew Reinhart on Paper Talk. Matthew is a world-renowned children’s book author, illustrator and paper engineer, known best for cutting and folding paper into gravity-defying pops in his acclaimed pop-up books. His New York Times bestselling titles include Harry Potter, a Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts, Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy, DC Super Heroes: The Ultimate Pop-Up Book, and Mommy? created with children’s book legend Maurice Sendak. Matthew loves every second of his work and enjoys sharing new crafts with creators of all ages on Youtube each week. Enjoy our conversation!

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These unique paper collages by Dorothy Eisner (1906 to 1984) will soon be on view at Gleason Fine Art in Boothbay Harbor (May 27 – June 29) on Cranberry Island in Maine. For 24 summers at the end of her life, Eisner was an enthusiastic member of Cranberry Island’s large artistic community. This brief story about her life is fascinating, with details about growing up in Manhattan and attending the Art Students League to discovering the work of Matisse and Picasso and developing her own style.

Dorothy Eisner’s “Camp Basketball” collage- 14” x 22” Courtesy of Gleason Fine Art 

I wrote about this installation of paper doves by Michael Pendry back in January, but Washington National Cathedral has now reopened, and it is worth another mention along with this stunning photo. “Across religious traditions and even across cultures, doves are symbols of peace and hope,” says Kevin Eckstrom, the chief communications officer of the cathedral. “When you go into the space and you see this flock, it’s almost like they’re pointing towards something. They’re all flying in the same direction, but at different elevations and in different ways. And the ambient air in the cathedral makes them all move. It’s a moving installation.”

Washington National Cathedral: Doves — Photo: Danielle E. Thomas

The May project in The Paper Year (my online membership program), is called Architectural Row. It is so fun to see the interpretations of participants! This is Gerry Murano’s version from Tucson. She shared Your Home is Your Castle in The Paper Studio. This accordion-type book structure collapses to fit in an envelope, and she created the piece as a housewarming gift for her cousin.

Check out this video that shows how an origami waterbomb tessellation was used to design the wheels for an off road vehicle that can transform from one shape into another to adapt to the terrain.

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Paper Tidbits:

• Enter the Handmade Paper Wheel of Fortune! $100 gets you a batch of unique handmade papers donated by artists to support Hand Papermaking Magazine. These won’t last long!
• The Women’s Studio Workshop in Rosendale, NY is looking for a Development Associate and a Program Manager.
• I’m delighted that so many people share my interest in unique papers from around the world. Check out my current Curated Paper Collection. Learn more about each sheet and add a set to your paper stash or collection.
• I am a member of the Craft Industry Alliance, which is a fantastic membership organization that provides all kinds of valuable information and networking opportunities related to running a craft business. The cost of membership is going up in June, so now would be a great time to join and lock in your membership rate (so worth the $69/year).

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In the Studio:

I’m developing the content for my summer Paper + Light online class, which opens for registration tomorrow. Years ago, I learned how to make Chochin, collapsible Japanese lanterns. This form traditionally begins with the construction of a wooden armature. Back in the 1990’s, an artist friend attended a workshop at the Paper & Book Intensive with Richard Flavin and Tim Barrett and learned how to construct the armature in foam core. She knew I would love it and taught me. Once I learn a structure, I cannot stop thinking about ways to adapt and transform it into variations. Here you see a few – can you envision the armatures that can be constructed from these pieces?

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Featured this week in my Studio shop: Party Light Try It! Workshop, The Papermaker’s Companion, Package of 3 Films, Papermaking With Garden Plants & Common Weeds

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