Confessions of a Paste Paper Addict

Boonville Art Barn 2008 Summer Schedule

Susan — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:12:14 +0000

Yay! We have our Workshop & Camp schedule up at Boonville Art Barn.org- please register soon as space is limited. Highlights:

Kids’ Writing and Book Arts Camp

Mini Matchbox Shrines

Beeswax Collage

Sock Animals

Monoprinting

Book Arts

We also have our Monthly Memberships and $12 Tuesdays!

Call to register- 707.489.9899.

“Open Secret” Workshop at the Mendo Art Center

Susan — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:00:30 +0000

I am so excited- in two weeks I will be teaching a week long Book Arts workshop entitled “Open Secrets” at the Mendocino Art Center. Marci Easterbrook, a wonderful artist/teacher had to cancel and asked me to fill-in for her. It will be a wonderful week on the gorgeous Mendocino Coast! Check their site online or give them a call for more info, they’re at 707. 937-5818 or 800.653-3328. Email them at mendoart@mcn.org

“Open Secret”: Artist book forms and materials can reveal and conceal. Learning techniques of multiple folds, pop ups, sewing and inserts, we will make several small books and one complex folded book based on Heidi Kyle’s model. Embossing and transfer printing by press and hand will create unique papers with photo, painting, or drawing sources. This class is packed with resources and hands on methods for use at home or in the classroom. Materials fee: $20. Tuition: $325. (Discounts available now for Mendo County residents.)

Anderson Valley Open Studios- May 24, 25 & 26!

Susan — Thu, 22 May 2008 01:07:49 +0000

Yep. I have been scrambling like a lunatic, ummmm, getting ready for Open Studios! And it is sooo incredibly gorgeous up here right now, thank goodness it cooled off. Everything is in bloom! Here are some of my Hamsa/Hamesh Hand prints I am now framing…..

More Ink on Paste Drawings

Susan — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:05:37 +0000

Here are a few more of my ink on paste drawings. Or are they paintings? I had some extra paste paper wheat paste mixed with paint, and then topped it with ink. I am making digital prints of these. Be sure to try to come to the Art Barn for the Anderson Valley Open Studios Art Tour!

Mini-Book Pendants

Susan — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:33:53 +0000

OK, so I am obsessed. Is this anything new? I have made some teeny-tiny books that one can wear around ones’ neck. They are great for love poems, mantras, inspiring words or pictures you like to keep close to your heart at all times. I love picking the teeniest pieces of beautiful paste paper for the covers. These are just the beginning, I have so many more ideas, I just wish I had some time! As I write, I am making more to sell in our Art barn at the upcoming Anderson Valley Art Tour over this Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy!

Sock Animals

Susan — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:40:27 +0000

(Every pig’s tail deserves a close-up)

There’s not much to say except I wish I had more time to make these little critters!

My handmade Brag Books AKA accordion with wrap-a-round covers

Susan — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:09:20 +0000

These sweet little books are so fun to make, they are almost like a wallet, with an accordion book inside. I made a bunch for my family to use as brag books. What a wonderful way to keep snazzy pictures of cute kidlets (OK, and cute others) handy.

Paste Paper (altered) Gameboards

Susan — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:25 +0000

My student and friend Diane Paget created this amazing paste paper Backgammon game. She even made fimo game pieces and a matching red and green marbled pouch for them to go into. I altered an old gameboard into a paste paper checkerboard. The obsession continues…

Collages with Family Photographs

Susan — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:29:17 +0000

Today is my Grandmothers’ birthday. These collages are of her and my Grandpa. I love how sweet the photo of the two of them is.

Student’s Paste Paper AKA Being (age) 5 again

Susan — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:43:14 +0000

Beginning from the top: Ellen Springwater, David Spain, Susan McClure and Geraldine Rose. Aren’t these YUMMY?!?!

So, I only have a few large pieces of other’s papers in my personal collection, but I witness the amazing creation of these Rorschach-like paintings from friends and students quite often. I would show more, but alas I need to scan pieces bigger than the swatches I have begged for. My begging continues….!

One of the most interesting things about working on these with my crazy free-for-all anti-perfection process is that everyone’s personality shines through the work. If you’re feeling freaky or blue or fabulous or funky, it is bound to reveal itself. Folks often find that they think that their particular paste paper “looks the same” (yeah, right!). It’s just that each person does tend to have a style or repetitive almost meditative-ness to his or her stroke. (Thus, in my opinion the entire process becomes a therapeutic way of letting go.) And if you don’t “like it”, just…paint over it! Add another coat! How liberating!!