Swans, Indeed!
Well, I am quite happy; the "paper towel" did transform under pressure and overnight where it lay beneath approximately 125 lbs of clay :) The weight helped to flatten out the waffle pattern left by the frame screen, and it no longer looks like paper towel! I am quite happy with the results, even if they are a bit more "crafty" than I anticipated. The next test will be to use ink on them (Angus!). Right now, however, I am enjoying their mere existence.
I thought I was done for the night, but as I was cleaning up, I came across a bowl of cardboard packing material that I had torn up and soaked in water. Inspired, I threw a handful in to the blender with some water and some left over flower petals and added this mix to the slurry.... this is the result! More Swans :)
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| Augmented slurry with cardboard and petal mixture. |
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| Petal Paper! |
I am pleased with the overall quality of the sheets, but Angus' comments about making paper that is "writeable" is stuck in my mind. I don't see this type of paper being particularly user friendly in this regard, so what to do?? Why make a bowl of course!
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| Wet paper moulded into bowl. |
I am using one of my own bowls made in my glaze testing class for the mould. It was reasonably simple to pat it into shape and any little tears were easily patched as the paper was still quite wet.
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| Bowl o'rice. |
I filled the bowl with rice for two reasons: to absorb moisture and to help the paper retain its shape as it dries. We will see if my theory holds any water, er rice, but in the meantime, I have been inspired (yet again) to make rag paper from an old pair of jeans. Stay tuned!
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| Paper samples thus far. Rag paper to come :) |
This is amazing work Haide!!! I'm really liking and actually surprised how flat the paper got!!! Was it just pressure from the clay? Have you ever tried heat (I've never tried this but if you have let me know)? Uncoated paper absorbs ink well, but it might be because of the many processes the cardboard has been through. Have you looked at any substances that can make paper more absorbable? Because it would be amazing if you could write on this! Maybe your paper needs more flattening to smooth out? Or needs to be thinner? I'm really excited to see the results!! Especially excited to see your jeans transform!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed too how well it flattened - I had the rubbermaid container full of my clay left overs from last term on top of two sheets of drawing board with the paper sandwiched in the middle. Worked really well. The sheets are quite thin, too. Yes, I was actually thinking about doing some paper where I add ink to the wet sheet and let it spread before pressing out the moisture. Could be beautiful :)
DeleteDitto Victoria, the paper looks amazing! The texture and materiality of it is something you normally don't get to see. Who cares if it is writable, it is beautiful without anything written on it. Look forward to see more of your iterations.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cherry :) Appreciate it and yeah, I kinda don't care if it is writable. I like looking at it and knowing it was "garbage" only 24 hours earlier.
DeleteDitto to Victoria and Cherry! Haida, it seems that you are continually inspired by you're process, which has a rippling effect of inspiration on me. I thought it was very clever of you to turn your paper into a bowl. So many possibilities with paper!
ReplyDeleteYes, I kind have been swept away by the whole thing. I know a heck of a lot more about paper now! Thank you for your comments and glad you are feeling inspired :)
DeleteThis is fascinating ! Your process and how good the results looks, even on pictures. I am looking forward to see and feel those sheets of paper for real. I have been wondering lately what to do with old garments, besides turning them into rags. Thinking that there should be some kind of up-cycling possibility for them. I think you have the answer for me. Turning them into paper ! I'll stay tuned to see what kind of paper those old jeans became. Keep up the good work !
ReplyDeleteMerci Milene, I agree about the upcycling... the jean thing turned out to be a lot harder than I was expecting, but I learned a ton.
DeleteThis is a very fascinating process that you have so far. From the many blog posts you've posted on your process, I think this one stands out more by how you could be getting the hang of it. I find your makeshift paper interesting in texture and even the little bits make it seem interesting. I am excited what you have to bring later on.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Angus.C
DeleteThis is amazing and the paper is very beautiful only by itself. And I like your idea of putting rice into the bowl. I feel like they are become into one subject. I'd also like to see those papers in a variety of shapes, I think that would be interesting!
ReplyDeleteDankeshun!
DeleteHi,Haide
ReplyDeleteI like your project by the iteration that you've presented. very Organic. i m sure you must had so much fun during the making process. Thank you for sharing with us this beautiful project.
Hey Haide! I loved seeing your project progress, as a printmaker I spend a lot of time handling and learning about paper - though I have never tried to make my own! I loved your idea of recycling things to create your paper, as I am constantly aware of how much paper I am consuming during my practice, and would love to be more eco-friendly.
ReplyDeleteHere's a couple resources I thought you might like! Some of most beautiful handmade papers I've ever seen are of Japanese origin, some of the best are made at the Awagami Factory in Tokushima, Japan. The entire paper making process, including harvesting the pulp in nearby forests, has been done by hand in the same facility, by the same family for eight or nine generations. Their website is www.awagami.com, if you want to take a look!
Also, here's the address for that place on the island I mentioned Tuesday, Paper Ya. 1666 Johnston St. Its over in the Net Loft across from the market. Full of amazing paper! Enjoy!
Thanks much Addison - totally appreciate that! Think I will go to the paper place on Monday :)
DeleteHI Haide,
ReplyDeleteI learn a lot with you from your blog. I never thought we can recycle and make a paper by ourselves. This is really cool. Although it cannot write on it, the paper turns out. It is amazing.