Wednesday, August 15, 2012

pulp clouds

once there was a way
to get back
to the land
and an incredible woman,
papermaker and steward of the land,
Velma
took us on a journey 
with some tools
some plant stuff from the farm
 some shredding
the pressing of the natural creations
we made paper
it was HOT (90 degrees)
and beautiful.
cold cement kept the belly cool
as we splashed in watery pulp vats.
papers sheets.
like flat mid-summer leaves.
milkweed, cedar bark, day lilly, abaca
and more
pressed to board like noses
to the candy store window
and lo...paper for books or special treasures made.
and from Velma, this dear book.
is available here
don't miss a chance to study with Velma.
and yes, she will be back in 2013

Monday, August 06, 2012

pipe dreams

with a few simple tools,
a few guiding principles,
and her steadfast instruction, Joan Morris
brought the techniques of arashi shibori
[Japanese pole binding] to Long Ridge Farm, 
coupled with
three unique indigo dye vats.
the work was so sweet.
poles were wrapped
manipulated and twisted
then dipped in indigo vats
as so desired.
and left to rest under an indigo moon
only to awaken to woad [isatis tinctoria] dips
individual natural indigo vat creations
all arriving at finished work:
tattersal
woodgrain
twisted on pole
woodgrain variation
time was spent drifting through
raindrops, study, laughter and accomplishment.
magnificent growth.
splendid results.