The objects and piles of things in the new space
look strangely beautiful early in the morning.
The sculpture is of my father. My handmade paper is
framed on the wall. The light will be most welcome here.

Also, you can now see my "news" on Squint. This is the blog for
the University of Hartford Limited Residency MFA Illustration
program directed by the famous Murray Tinkleman. Our faculty
includes "Amazing Greats"such as Nancy Stahl, Gary Kelly, CF Payne,
Alice Carter, Ted Lewin, Betsy Lewin, and now Zina Saunders!

Monoprinting on Handmade Paper

Good day. My annual summer jaunt to Norwich to make paper with June Tyler at Pondside Pulp and Paper had a new twist this year....monoprinting on the handmade paper we made! I made 8-10 sheets of handmade paper in the morning for printing on from a variety of pulps-kozo, blue jean, flax, and gampi. Because of the fibers, the paper is very strong even though it is thin. June advises that flax and blue jean pulps are better for woodcuts and relief printing, whereas the kozo and gampi are better for monoprints. We used Golden Open Acrylics , a new acrylic paint developed by Golden that stays wet longer, making it perfect for monoprinting. These were experimental prints. More printing tomorrow...

Long walk today through a local golf course where someone I know was playing. Of course I did watch some golf but this old birch caught my eye:) Looking a lot in general at the shapes of trees.....tomorrow I'll bring sketch pad...
Love these portraits by British illustrator Matthew Hollings here
Also, if you like making paper, June Tyler of Pondside Pulp and Paper in Norwich, NY, has updated her blog "...There is one spot left in the first session of "Papermaking in the Country," July 1 and 2 spaces left in "Handmade Paper and Printmaking, session one," beginning July 7, as of June 20, 2009."

Blue Delphinium

Clear skies today. The color of blue delphinium, - such a clear blue. This paper I made has embedded blue delphinium petals (that I save from summer and press in a book) with single petals, stem and butterfly wing attached along the bottom. I like how the blue peeks out of the paper like patches of blue sky on a cloudy day. Click on the image to see it closer.
I guess it is a small homage to nature.

Inside Day

Made a few new notecards with handmade paper (seaweed, linen, artemesia, iris, and cotton) and two print gocco cards under Jack's supervision...Cards will be available soon. Swedish artist Camilla Engman has a new studio and shop and blog. If you are a dog lover (especially labs) you will like this site. Rick Ladd's bottle-cap baroque is amazing folk art.

Lantern of Hope: An artist-led grassroots effort in support of Barack Obama

Helen Heibert, esteemed papermaker (of Dieu Donne fame) now residing in Portland, Oregon has sent an update on her Lantern of Hope project.

October 13, 2008

Dear Friends,

It has been just 3 weeks since I launched the Lantern of Hope
Project, and there are 3 weeks left until election day. At this half-way point,
there are almost 200 lanterns glowing in 16 states and I’ve donated over $700
to Obama for America. I believe that my dream of lanterns glowing in homes in
all 50 states is still possible, but it will be easier with your help!

I’ve got my old fashioned map of the US with push pins above my
desk, and I’m having fun putting the pins in it. Here are the states that are
covered so far:
ALASKA, OREGON, WASHINGTON, CALIFORNIA, ILLINOIS, MINNESOTA,
WISONSIN, IOWA, MICHIGAN, TEXAS, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, WASHINGTON DC,
VERMONT, MARYLAND, & PENNSYLVANIA.

Can you tell me if you’ve sent one to a friend in another state, or
are you willing to encourage a friend in one of those states to purchase one
at http://www.enlightenedpapers.etsy.com/?

I have been amazed with the interest in the project, and I’ve been
in touch with many friends, friends of friends and complete strangers. Thanks
for helping to spread the word!

Here are some highlights and fun stories:
The lawyer I talked to about using the Obama logo suggested Jack-O-
Lanterns carved with Obama logos, or in other words, Obama-A-Lanterns. From
what I can gather, this is a theme being spread around the country, so join
in the fun!
Someone found me on facebook and offered to spread “flair” about the
project, so if you are on facebook, check us out at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lantern-of-Hope/31183223950
A local Portland family is selling bagels for Obama every Saturday
morning. I dropped off some lanterns with her this weekend and was impressed
when I saw the gauge that showed they have raised over $650 by selling
bagels in front of their house!
I went to an Obama fundraiser last week, where the host and hostess
featured the lanterns as door prizes.
A fellow papermaker and professor in Iowa City, Tim Barrett, was
inspired by the idea of lanterns with the Obama logo being illuminated around the
country and decided to encourage his contacts to make their own paper bag
luminaria adorned with Obama logos.
Here are his instructions for making your own “Luminaria” from
simple brown paper bags. And by the way, the first watermarked lanterns I made
twelve years ago were inspired by the New Mexican luminaria I saw as a child.

To make your own paper bag luminaria:

Download and print the Obama logo of your choice at

http://www.barackobama.com/downloads

Cut out a circle, square or rectangle as required from a paper bag
and paste the logo over the opening, then add sand and candle (in votive glass
holder for safety), and display in your window every night!
I’m really not that politically involved, but I feel that I’ve
finally found a way to merge my passion (handmade paper) with things I care about.
I see the lanterns first and foremost as a symbol for what Barack Obama
stands for– hope for our country and a willingness to work for change to try
and make the quality of life better for more Americans.
I’ve decided to raise the price of the lanterns for this final push
(there are still a few on the Etsy site for $20 for those of you who click
NOW).
Your purchase for $25 will yield a donation of $5 to Obama for
America and $5 to the Democratic Party which needs our help, too.
Purchase one now – it isn’t too late. Be part of history, they won’t
be produced after election day. Go to http://www.enlightenedpapers.etsy.com
or make your own lantern.
This coming week, we’ll be working hard to get some press (local and
national TV, radio and newspaper). Let me know if you have any
contacts or suggestions.
When I close my eyes and imagine lights glowing around the country, it
brings a smile to my face and makes me feel warm inside. Thanks so
much for your help with this project. It means a lot to me.
Helen
http://www.enlightenedpapers.com/
info@enlightenedpapers.com

Handmade Paper

One of several pieces of my handmade paper that will be on display at Starbucks downtown Ithaca, NY during month of November. Here is June Tyler in her papermaking studio (Pondside Pulp and Paper) in Norwich, NY where I go every summer to make paper. Her summer workshops are wonderful. This piece was made during a "Big Paper" workshop where the paper pulp (artemesia) was sprayed onto sheets in thin layers with inclusions of twigs, leaves,
green cotton and recycled coffee filters.

Some interesting links for you. Oil paintings by artist Csilla Sadloch. Wool felt dolls and pincushions by Mimi Kirchner. More dolls by Tracy Gallup. Some Youtube videos on papermaking