STUDIO VISIT: Current Works in Progress
Various paper projects and material explorations. Stop by for a catch-up!
I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend! We celebrated by going to Smorgasburg and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden; it was fun, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect.
Today, I’m checking in from the studio. As many of you know, I tend to work across several mediums at once, which means there’s always more than one project in motion and more than one mess. Right now, scraps of paper, cardboard templates, and half-finished experiments cover nearly every surface. (I say “every surface” like I have a lot of space... hahaha, but really, my studio is about 250 square feet!)
I usually have at least one papier mâché project underway, especially since I try to add a new template to my Etsy shop each month. Occasionally, a client project takes over one of my tables. I just wrapped up my latest commission, and now that the studio is temporarily mine again, I’ve been diving into two things: a personal project that’s been stewing in my head for weeks and new cardboard and papier mâché home-decor shapes that I can’t wait to share when the templates are ready.
A new series of footed bowls made from cardboard, masking tape, and soon papier mâché
This little series is made entirely from recycled cardboard and shown here in their masking tape stage. I use masking tape for a few reasons: to add strength and stability, help hold everything together, and create a protective barrier between the cardboard and the papier mâché paste. I’m hoping to start layering on the papier mâché this week. That part can be a bit of a slog; each layer takes about 24 hours to dry, and I try to be strict about adhering to the drying time. But the real fun begins when it’s time to paint and decorate. I’m forever enamored with floral patterns, and I always have a few sketched out to choose from.
Collages in progress
Recently, I’ve also been working on a new series of collages made with recycled paper, painted newspaper, and kraft paper bags. Last year, I created a series of collaged plants that I keep returning to. However, lately, I’ve been drawn to making slightly trompe l'oeil blue-and-white dinner plates. Partly because I love Delft, and partly because blue-and-white pottery always reminds me of my mom. These are “life-size” and created on 14” square paper.
Growing up, we had a shelf that stretched across the dining room near the ceiling, filled with her delftware and flow-blue pottery collection. I have a few of Mom’s pieces now, but I’m unsure what happened to the rest. Finding antiques like hers can be tricky or expensive, so I’ve started creating my own versions using paper from the recycling bin. I can already envision a whole collection of them, framed and arranged in a grid on the dining room wall as a lovely homage.
Testing glues for collage
Part of the collage process has been figuring out the best glue, especially since some of the paper is quite delicate. I’ve tried various matte mediums and paste glues, and they all work well for small pieces. But anything larger than 3–4 inches has been trickier. I think I’ve landed on Golden Soft Gel Matte; it seems to keep things lying flat the best. If you’ve had luck with another glue, I’d love to hear about it!
What have you been working on lately? Any good podcasts or audiobooks keeping you company? I usually listen to The Bulwark to stay informed on politics, along with Science Vs. and Talk Nerdy. I borrow most of my audiobooks through the library or Libby, so I often just pick from what’s available. I love sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction… send me your recommendations!
Have a great week!
✨ I love regular glue sticks for relatively basic mixed paper collages (so easy to apply!) but appreciate the tip about this glue medium for more complex works and mixed materials - thanks so much! Inspired by the idea of plant collages, too, in this lovely bright-blooming, just-about-summer moment of our creative lives. 🌸
Re: podcasts & audiobooks - I've been listening to Andy Serkis narrating Tolkien! I listened to The Hobbit and then the trilogy, and have just moved on to The Silmarillion. His narration is extraordinary. It's been such a delight to listen and has added a little extra whimsy to whatever I'm working on. Highly, highly recommend. The Hobbit and TLOTR are my favorite stories ever and Andy's brilliant narration has kind of felt like a chance to read them for the first time again! 💫
I recently bought one of your Etsy patterns and look forward to trying it out this summer! I still need to gather the supplies...
I LOVE the Libby app-- especially for audiobooks. I always have an audiobook and a physical book in my rotation (usually also from the library). Libraries are the best! I'm trying to figure out how best to support mine during this tumultuous time.
I think we have different tastes in books, but one that I read recently and enjoyed, that you might also like, is called Starter Villain, by John Scalzi.