This afternoon we closed our doors after three very full weekends with Open Studio visitors. This weekend we had over 150 people visit, watch, enquire and play.
Barry is always busy demonstrating how he beats metal, heats metals, makes bowls, and makes leaves; I usually have a few projects going that involve paper. I might demonstrate burning words out of pages with incense sticks; how to emboss something using my milk carton template; how to rust paper; or a new one this time around - marbling paper.
I am running a book-making workshop with children in a few weeks time as part of the Maleny Celebration of Books, and thought it might be good to give the kids some brightly marbled paper to work with. In typical fashion I haven't worked out what sort of book they might make; but I suddenly thought marbled paper might feature!
So over the past few days I have been showing people how suminagashi marbling works - and creating our own patterns with colour and swirling and blowing - a version of suminagashi I guess.
Here are some happy paper shots of the outcomes - I think the kids will enjoy some of the psychedelic combinations.
I think I'll enjoy a good night's sleep!
With many thanks to all the folk who made the trek to our studios and who took the time to let us know how much they enjoyed the visit - it was wonderful to share our space and our work with you all.
Barry is always busy demonstrating how he beats metal, heats metals, makes bowls, and makes leaves; I usually have a few projects going that involve paper. I might demonstrate burning words out of pages with incense sticks; how to emboss something using my milk carton template; how to rust paper; or a new one this time around - marbling paper.
I am running a book-making workshop with children in a few weeks time as part of the Maleny Celebration of Books, and thought it might be good to give the kids some brightly marbled paper to work with. In typical fashion I haven't worked out what sort of book they might make; but I suddenly thought marbled paper might feature!
So over the past few days I have been showing people how suminagashi marbling works - and creating our own patterns with colour and swirling and blowing - a version of suminagashi I guess.
Here are some happy paper shots of the outcomes - I think the kids will enjoy some of the psychedelic combinations.
I think I'll enjoy a good night's sleep!
With many thanks to all the folk who made the trek to our studios and who took the time to let us know how much they enjoyed the visit - it was wonderful to share our space and our work with you all.
It really is a shame we live so far apart! The girls and I would love to marble with you. Enjoy your sleep.
ReplyDeleteHi J - it's the perfect play day! Simple, pretty clean and instant gratification!
DeleteHi Fiona: I think children will be drawn to the magical marbled papers. I wish I could have seen your embossing technique demo. Congratulations on you successful open studio!
ReplyDeleteThanks Leslie - I think it will be fun to see what they choose and how they choose to use it, I know my mind goes awandering with possibilities. Thanks for the congrats - it was a lovely time filled with good energy.
Deleteyour sumi results are fab - I always have 'issues' with the ink dropping (naughty heavy ink) - I'm sure the kids will love the paper
ReplyDeleteHi Ronnie, I'm still trying to work out the perfect mix for floating ink; but these ones worked really well.
DeleteSounds like you two were very busy with Open Studios. Wonder if all studios fared as well. I think both you and Barry share so much of yourselves as well as your processes and work, that it would make visitors feel quite privileged. Well done on what most certainly was a wonderful success. Now you can look after yourself a little bit I hope???
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan - we are both a bit weary but are taking it steadily (altho both about to head out for meetings...) I think people appreciate the sharing and the learning. Talk soon!
Deletefiona, you've earned a well deserved rest. i like how the material is driving the structure for your next project, and why not double up on stuff, anyway?
ReplyDeleteThanks Velma - I like that materials are driving the structure as well - a nice way of forgiving myself for not having much direction to start with!
DeleteSuch delicate marbling Fiona about to be conjured into new life. What about a flexogram type folded book with the children so that the patterns change as they turn the pages? Easy to fold and no sewing involved, just minimal glueing. Like a 2D paper kaleidoscope!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the marbling changing patterns as pages turn, and a 2-D kind of kaleidoscope - will definitely investigate! Thanks Lesley!
DeleteYour marbling is beautiful, Fiona, and a lovely way to introduce children to marbling. And way less messy than ebru.
ReplyDelete