The Sunday Paper #79

Paper of the Week: Money Paper

Did you know that you can buy shredded money from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing? They sell 5 pound bags of shredded U.S. currency that contain approximately $10,000 in shredded bills.  I made the linen/shred mix that lies beneath the dollar bill pictured here and Jessica Spring used that paper to make her book Rags to Riches. My friend Susan made the paper on the left by mixing the shredded currency with kozo.

How have you used shredded currency?

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In the Studio: Grant Writing

Speaking of money, I’ve been busy this past month writing three grant proposals. This is a tricky business, because it takes a lot of time (at least for me) to put together a proposal and grants are not guaranteed. That said, if you can convince a funder that you are worthy of their support, it is totally worth it because they provide the funds for your project. I have been fortunate over the years to receive quite a few grants (and I’ve been rejected plenty of times as well). What I’ve discovered about the process is that it helps me plan my projects. I almost always apply for funding for projects that I know I will do regardless of whether or not I receive the funding – I learned long ago that a rejection doesn’t mean you can’t do it, it just means you have to find another way. You can’t take it personally either – the grant world is competitive, and there are other people out there who are just as deserving. You’ll read about my projects in the coming months, even if I don’t receive the grants!

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Sponsor of the Week: Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking

From September 11 to November 20, 2015, the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking presents Paper Narratives, an invitational group exhibition featuring the work of five artists: Doug Baulos, Denise Bookwalter, Kerri Cushman, Lauren Faulkenberry, and Lee Emma Running. Each artist utilizes paper as a primary ingredient to manifest their ideas. This exhibition is curated by Suzanne Sawyer.

© 2015 Lauren Faulkenberry, detail of Villanelle for Mitchell County,
hand-cut handmade paper, letterpress printing, sewing, 7.5’ wide by 3.75’ tall

Lauren Faulkenberry is “a collector of words, objects, images, and obsessions. Books have always been a source of discovery for me, and have now become my way of exploring intersections: that of our fears and desires, histories and dreams, places that ground us and the people who change us…. My work reflects a preoccupation with mythology, the fragmented nature of memory, and the patterns that emerge in our personal histories and contemporary yearnings. What interests me is how our lives intertwine, and how our memories can become fragmented and then reassembled, sometimes creating more fiction than fact. Born in the South, I couldn’t help being a storyteller–when I learned printing and bookbinding, I was all in. Under the imprint of Firebrand Press, I create books, prints, and ephemera that are letterpress-printed and hand-bound.”

Lauren is the final artist to be featured in the Paper Narratives exhibit at the Paper Museum, and she beautifully explained the process of creating “Villanelle for Mitchell County” in her blog. Two of her tunnel books are also exhibited, “Touch” and “The Barred Owl.”

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I know this is a day late, but it is too sweet to skip it. Happy Belated Halloween! This book, Silly Haunted House: a Not Too Spooky Halloween Book, won a 2015 Gold Moonbeam Award and was conceptualized by Yevgeniya Yeretskaya and brought to life with a sweet poem by Janet Lawler, the whimsical illustrations of Anna Chambers, and the inventive paper-engineering of Renee Jablow.

I love looking for paper in odd places. Do you see the paper in this photo? I’m sure you could come up with several types of paper in the kitchen, but do you cook with parchment paper? I use it to line baking sheets, but haven’t explored making entire meals in parchment.

Here’s a series of paper cuts that are cleverly displayed in nature. The possibilities are endless, and these images make me think about the lens that I view the world through!

Do you see what this is? Wow, you’re gonna love this series of paper cranes by Cristian Marianciuc.

This is a nice article about Peace Paper, a traveling art therapy program that incorporates the papermaking process in which art therapists and Peace Paper employees travel to college campuses to create paper from underwear and advocate for the end of domestic violence. Survivors of sexual trauma are invited to speak about their experience or simply partake in the process. The group also works with veterans of all ages to use art as a coping mechanism. They can bring in their old uniforms to create paper and write special messages on them. 

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About our sponsor: Wa = Japanese and shi = paper. Washi = Japanese Paper. Washi Arts sole focus is Japanese papers, tools and supplies for creative artists and businesses. By having this focus we can offer the widest range of papers – fibers, colors, patterns, weights and sizes for a variety of uses. Japan has a culture that honors excellence in craftsmanship and the 1,400 years of continuous paper-making mean the quality in excellent and dependable. Washi Arts is a retail partner of The Japanese Paper Place in Toronto, which has the largest selection of Japanese paper, under one roof, anywhere in the world. Get daily creative inspiration and see what artists, architects, designers, calligraphers, binders and conservators are doing with washi on instagram,  facebook, and twitter. 

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About our sponsor: Did you know that we have a papermaking museum in America? It is Atlanta, and it is a fantastic place to visit! It is open to the public, and you can view exhibitions, take workshops and discover the amazing history of paper. For those of you who know who Dard Hunter was (if you don’t, look him up!) his collection is housed in the museum.

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Thank you to those who have pledged your support, and enjoy your Sunday!