New Work
For some time now I’ve been thinking about how to reduce my footprint on this earth. Considering that I was using a generous amount of mat medium and acrylic paints, I spent several years forswearing them and then buying them, repeating this cycle until I accepted that I wasn’t about to give up acrylics. But perhaps I could work on the paper and glue end of things...
I’d had my eye on the thin, almost translucent brown paper bags our local bakery used. I collected them, but not quite sure what to do with them, they sat until last fall when I found myself collecting the paper wrappers from baguettes in Paris. (Bread bags? Most visitors to Paris are more interested in reproductions of Monet or a Hermes scarf.)
Reflecting on the bags, I thought about how they’d held something delicious. The container that held bread could now be a container of memories.
And that ignited an idea: the French word for memories is “souvenirs” and my wrappers were just that. On my return, I began to paint and construct collages using the bags, a limited palette of dark tan (the bags), white, titanium buff and indigo. I incorporated pieces of the bags’ text, along with vintage papers containing bits of poetry. Using a glue stick to put the papers together, I realized that I could limit the mat medium to a final layer, reducing the amount of plastic in each piece.
I love the idea of using cast offs and imbuing them with a new purpose. The initial pieces had very few references to botanical themes, which had figured heavily in my previous work. As I continued the series, I pondered ways to reintroduce that element. I decided that now that the sun has returned to our island, I’ll make wet cyanotypes, cut into strips utilizing papers that have been recycled. So the cycle continues.
Fresh Lemonade, Monoprint Collage, 20 x 15”
The Artery Continued
My exhibit at the Artery in Davis, CA has gone well, so well, that it has been extended through May. I’ve added some pieces to replace what has sold and to bring a slightly different perspective to the remaining pieces. If you haven’t had a chance to visit yet, now’s the time for a spring stroll to the Artery and a good cup of coffee down the street at Temple coffee.
If you’re not in Davis, you can easily browse the work on my website. If you like something and have questions, I’m here.
Tea Papers and A Change of Plans
I said I would teach a camp style workshop in July, however, because of time away for happy family events, I now need the time to prepare for an exhibit with Artburst in November.
Instead, I want to share my tea paper process with you. I’m loving using these papers in my collages. They’re a quick way to ecoprint, and in addition to paper dyed with the teabags and teabag paper for collage, you get a delicious cup of tea. You might want to invite a friend over for tea and try it!
Materials: a mug, some paper, scissors and a bowl.
Brew a cup of tea. Green tea and black tea work well.
2) After steeping, place the teabag on a piece of paper. I’ve used watercolor paper and bristol paper, and both work well, but there’s lots of room for exploration.
Repeat this process until you’ve got as many teabags drying on the paper as you wish. This usually takes me several days to fill the paper and then several more until they dry.
3) Once the teabags are dry, use scissors to clip off the top fold with the staple and tag. Have your bowl handy. Turn the teabag upside down and empty the dry tea into a bowl. (You can compost this or dispose of it in the waste basket.) Once you’ve emptied the bag, very carefully open the seam of the bag with your fingers and...voila!
Here's an example of how I’ve used the tea papers taken from the collage at the top of this note. I look forward to seeing what you do with them!
