Apr 15, 2011

Underbrush



When I first started making paper I would put a lot of colorful things in the pulp: glitter, string, leaves, pieces of paper. It was so exciting, all the things you could collect and include in the pulp. I loved watching them take their place naturally as the water drained through the screen and everything settled perfectly in its place. These papers seem a little over the top to me now, but since I have been coating everything but myself in gesso I decided to paint these over, too. I love the way the gaudy underbrush adds an interesting texture and history beneath the gesso.

7 comments:

Dale said...

Oh! wonderful!

Hunter said...

I sometimes forget that paper can be made by people, and not just bought at the store. lol

The leaves in the paper look like fossils (aka history). Very cool.

Uma said...

Papers can look like this too! How I wish all of them look like these!

Alexandra said...

Thanks all :)

When I'm at the office supply store I often wonder if the world would change if suddenly all paper was hand made at small mills. It has such a different presence, I'd like to think it would inspire people to be more aware of life's beauty.

If nothing else it would be so expensive people would use much less, junk mail would probably be unheard of!

Patricia said...

I agree, Alexandra, I admire the texture and the history embedded in the papers but I especially love what adding gesso did to the edges. I am a sucker for "organic" edges and these just stand out even moreso. I am happy that you share the evolution of your images with us -- thank you:)

Hunter said...

Well, there are artisan bakeries, so why not artisans paper stores (paperies?). But maybe the papers will be too nice for people to use them. ;-)

Alexandra said...

Thanks, Patricia, I always appreciate your thoughtful feedback.

I love the idea of a paperie, Hunter! There could be little tables with ink pots and calligraphy pens :)