The Sunday Paper #422

July 24th, 2022

I’ve had a whirlwind of a week teaching lantern-making workshops across Adams County here in Colorado. I traveled from branch to branch of the innovative Anythink Library system and also visited the Bookmobile. I’ve installed public art pieces in two of these libraries, and it was so fun to revisit both of those pieces (The Wish is pictured in the bottom left image).

We created small collapsible lanterns in preparation for the grand finale for the library’s mySummer program. Illuminate the Night , which will take place on Saturday, July 30th at dusk. If you’re in the area, come join us!

———————————————————————————————–––––––

–——————————————————————————————–––––––

A diagnostic test that relies on a strip of filter paper and some cunning origami can quickly distinguish between different variants of SARS-CoV-2. Researchers add viral RNA to a grid of spots at one end of a paper strip; folding the paper several times mixes the RNA with reagents, causing color changes in the final set of spots that identifies different variants of SARS-CoV-2.

The pattern of red and yellow spots indicates several mutations in the RNA of a virus, identifying it as the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2.

———————————————————————————————–––––––.

I’ve featured the work of Yulia Brodskaya here before, but wowza! Check out this quilled paper piece, called Phoenix, that was inspired by the way a Ukrainian refugee fearlessly began a new chapter in his life.

———————————————————————————————–––––––

The birth town of Gregor Johann Mendel, who was instrumental in the field of genetics, recently celebrated his 200th birthday. Mendel’s legacy is celebrated with a unique book printed on handmade paper and bound in leather. This book contains copies of real documents and manuscripts. Mendel’s birth certificate, handwritten notes of sermons, and texts recording the experiments that made him famous. I’d love to see that book!

———————————————————————————————–––––––

I’m featuring one-sheet wonders here on the blog, since the projects in my new book, The Art of Papercraft, fall into that category. I’d love to feature your one-sheet wonders!

Claudia Waruch is a printmaker living in the Hudson Valley. Later in life, a passion for knowledge brought her on a 10 year long journey. She returned to college, pursued a degree in printmaking and graduated at age 60. That passion for mark making continues to motivate, enrich, and inspire her art, a lifelong gift to explore. Waruch’s practice includes a variety of processes such as hand papermaking, shibori, indigo dying, eco printing, collographs, solarplate etchings, monoprints and photography.

Claudia Waruch, “Catalpa Artifact”, 2022, Catalpa Leaf with casted Abaca & Cotton Pulp 11″ x 7″.

———————————————————————————————–––––––

Paper Tidbits:

• Have you had a chance to listen to my interview with Tom Balbo on Paper Talk?
• Don’t forget: Log on to Zoom, settle in with your favorite snacks, and “Illuminate the Paper Vessel” with yours truly! Tuesday, July 26 at 7:30pmEDT; This free talk explores sculptural paper and you’ll hear more the lantern I constructed at Anythink Wright Farms! Sign up for this free presentation.
• There are still spots at The Art of Paper Retreat in Italy: 4 instructors, fine food and wine, field trips and paper comradery.
• Check out the Paper Extravanganza with Sara Burgess at MISSA in Victoria, BC (don’t delay, it’s coming right up).
• Come weave paper with us at the Red Cliff Paper Retreat in my Colorado studio in August. One spot left!

———————————————————————————————–––––––

In the Studio:

I’m teaching a virtual workshop on how to create a collapsible Japanese lantern that is similar to my installation at Anythink Wright Farms, but much smaller and suitable for your home, studio or office (perhaps even a gift). This will be a 3-day live online workshop on Zoom, with a 2-hour session each day: November 4th, 5th and 6th. You don’t have to attend live. Get all of the details and sign up here. I know that seems like it is a long ways off, but I opened registration on Monday and the class is half full. Don’t wait to sign up if you’re interested!

———————————————————————————————–––––––

I’m going to be offering a weekly selection of Small Sheets in limited quantities for the next several weeks. Thanks to those of you who purchased last week’s offering – I have 2 sets left. And since I’ve been out of town all week, stay tuned for a new selection of Small Sheets next week!