The Sunday Paper #468

July 9, 2023

Registration for The Paper Year closes tomorrow, July 10th. Will you join us?

The Paper Year is a paper-loving community that explores a new technique/project each month in a supportive, creative community. Over the next few months, we will:

• Construct a Pop-Up Pyramid.
• Explore Ramp Walkers (paper in motion) with guest artist Andrew Dewar.
• Create a Victorian Cobweb.
• Discover methods for working with repeat patterns with Alyssa Salomon in our quarterly surface design workshop.*
• Learn about Shanna Leino’s handmade tools for artists.*
• Meet on Zoom twice each month.*
• Share what we’re making in the online classroom.*

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Rag & Pulp is a new publication from Uppercase Magazine. I received a few complimentary copies this week because I am featured in the book (along with many papermakers, paper crafters and paper artists). It is a gorgeous book in a series of Encyclopedia’s of Inspiration. You can order a copy here. The book has a cool feature: the dust jacket can be folded in four different ways, so you can unfold and refold it for a new look.

There are some amazing thoughts about paper gracing the pages, like this comment from Radha Pandey: “I’ve heard people say, ‘paper is paper’ – but it isn’t. It is process, time, place, culture, nature, tradition and history. It is representative of the evolution of human technology, of literacy and learning. With so many nuances, I can choose to imbue a project with layers of meaning depending on which type of fibre and papermaking style I use. It makes for a more thought-provoking and meaningful end result, deepening my core concept. I love the process. I love translating something that grows in nature into something that has the potential to outlive me.”

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If you’re flying through the Quad Cities, don’t miss the art! I adore the work of Jocelyn Chateauvert (pictured) and she’s in a group show that features her paper sculptures, landscape paintings by Douglas Johnson, and oil paintings by Barbara Basia Krol. Fun fact: our daughter attended Augustana College in the Quad Cities for one year.

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This article shares the interesting history of paper balloons (kamifusen). They are a specialty of Izumozaki, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, where they have been produced for more than 100 years.

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The story of Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes never gets old. This group of kids folded paper cranes for cancer patients. What a lovely gesture of hope. I can still remember reading Sadako’s story to my children. I can picture us sitting together on the couch, me holding back my tears, and them looking up at me in a new way.

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Paper Tidbits

• Are you thinking about fall yet? I’m teaching an online Folded Paper Forms workshop through Maine Media in September.
• Join us in Colorado at the Red Cliff Paper Retreat, which takes place August 21 – 25 in my studio.