The Sunday Paper #164, July 2, 2017

Paper of the Week: Katazome Paper

Fireworks! I noticed these beauties this week over on Paper Connection International’s Instagram feed, and then I received an e-mail for a special Independence Day offer: Buy 2 Yuzen Papers and Get 3rd one for FREE (a $20 savings). The selection of these decorative papers are sure to put a spark in your step! (Please note: the papers pictured above are not included in the sale selection, but many other beauties are. Be sure to scroll through all seven pages).

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On the Road:
We were in Oregon last week, where I enjoyed teaching a workshop at Focus on Book Arts, seeing old (and meeting new) friends, eating great food, seeing art, walking across the new bridge Tilikum Crossing and more. When in Portland, I always stop by Oblation Papers & Press, a fantastic urban papermill and stationery store. While there, I recorded a podcast (coming soon) with owners Ron & Jennifer Rich and spent time looking at all of the paper goodies in their retail store. They produce these sweet little plantable papers (and many others) in house.

Papery Tidbits:

• Please contact me if you’re interested in promoting your business by sponsoring a month in the 2018 Twelve Months of Paper Calendar.
• I’ll be launching my biannual online paper sale later this month! Stay tuned for a selection of handmade papers you won’t find anywhere else in the world!
• I’m heading into fall with several workshops. There are still a few spots at my Red Cliff Paper Retreat, or you can join me in my new online class, Paper Lanterns (details coming soon), at the Pacific NW School of Art on Whidbey Island, or at the SW School of Art in San Antonio (details coming soon).

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This is a fascinating story about the life work of Khurshid Gohar Qalam, a Pakistani calligrapher whose work is in collections around the world. He writes on the special paper called wasli (paper made by old Mughal technique) and I love what he says: “I believe we should not forget our roots. We should not forget that calligraphy is part of our heritage, which must not only be preserved but should be made to flourish.” In this spirit, Qalam has passed the tradition along to thousands.

Escape the summer heat with this beautiful handheld fan made from Echizen Washi paper, a traditional Japanese craft with a 1500-year history. Artisans create this leaf patterned paper by hand so when sunlight hits the fan a silhouette of tree leaves appear. It’s a lovely reminder that there are ways of appreciating the summer, rather than escape into air conditioning.

I’ve featured the work of Chinese artist Li Hongbo before. Look closely, and you’ll see how he flattens a paper sculpture in the shape of a handgun as he sets up his work ‘Ocean of Flowers’ at Eight One Art Museum in Beijing June 17, 2017.

Check out these artist-designed wallpapers by the likes of contemporary artists such as Kiki Smith, James Welling, John Baldessari and Vik Muniz, to name a few. New York-based Artware Editions works with artists and fabricators to produce all sorts of functional objects.

Last but not least! These are amazing – bonsai trees made of blooming paper cranes by Naoki Onogawa.

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