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Papermaking at Margaret Rhein’s Terrapin Paper Mill
I have a growing interest in handmade paper. I have always loved the quality of Twinrocker paper (hand made in Indiana).
During my artist residency in Oaxaca, Mexico, I was introduced to a community of papermakers, and I used their paper for my artwork. Recently, a friend introduced me to Dard Hunter III, who lives nearby in Chillocothe, OH. His grandfather is considered one of the world’s authorities on the art of making paper…he LITERALLY wrote the book about papermaking (thanks again, Linda, for the introduction!)
In my studio, I use 100% cotton rag to frame my artwork, and I throw a lot of it away as part of the process. I thought it would be great to recycle the cotton into paper. I shared this idea with my friend, Margaret Rhein, at the Tiger Lily Press’ recent print sale. I was excited when she invited me to visit her studio to see some of her process.
Born In The USA by Margaret Rhein Margaret Rhein is is an encyclopedia of papermaking knowledge. She has studied and made handmade paper at Cincinnati’s Terrapin Paper Mill for 40 years. I’m drawn to her work for the way she combines art and craft to make expressive images using paper.
Visit her website www.margaretrhein.com for more examples of her work, and resume of accomplishments.
Most of my attention was spent trying to soak up all the information she was sharing with me, but I did get a chance to take a few photos.
She taught me a technique for preparing pulp using inexpensive tools (like a household blender),
…and then how to make sheets of paper from the pulp.
And also how to include objects into the paper for texture and decoration.
Thanks again, Margaret for giving me the peek into your studio, and getting me started with papermaking. With your help, I’ll have some new handmade paper to show off soon.
I Have A Dream-Tengo un Sueño
Martin Luther King Jr is one of my heros, and I wanted to honor his legacy with an animated emoji depicting his famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech on the steps of the Lincoln monument. The animation includes a translation in Spanish, for my friends who don’t speak English.
my new van!
More than 2 years have passed since my minivan went to the highway in the sky. Yesterday, I finally bought a new one!A big thanks to my mechanic, Joe Manley for finding it, and putting it together for me. Now I can party like it’s 1997! I’m already thinking of my next road trip/art project. stay tuned!
winter warm weather
We are enjoying a warm front here in Old Washington! if you can, get out of the barn and enjoy some fresh air before the rain comes.
i am going to start writing with more emoji
Digital culture is replacing words with emojis, and I am fascinated with it! As a visual artist, I know the power of using symbols to communicate, and how they give us nonverbal ways to express our ideas and share our experiences.
I have been reading about the design and history of emojis and icons, and have learned that visual language isn’t as new as I originally thought. My studies reminded me of cave paintings, the Egyptians, Native Americans, Asians and many other cultures who have used picture based language for thousands of years. Even in recent times, we regularly use symbols for bathroom
, danger
, navigation
, operating machinery
, and so forth. An advantage of visual language is that it can transcend other languages. If you have ever visited a country where you don’t know the language, there is no doubt that icons helped you understand important information.
To practice this idea, I have started to create my own icons/emojis to tell you all a little bit about my week. This is what the weather was like in Old Washington.
In my personal life, I have been taking a 7-day break from Facebook every month (which freed up a lot of time for studio work and exploring the world of emojis). I thought this symbol was a good way to represent that experience:
It’s interesting how, nowadays, adult coloring books have become bestsellers and Bob Dylan recently won the Pulitzer Prize for literature. (For the record: i think both adult coloring books and Bob Dylan are great!). As our language continues to evolve, maybe in the future, a visual artist can win a the Pulitzer Prize for a work of art written in emoji?Categories: animation, studio life
More 3D animation practice
I’m still learning 3d modelling/animation…these are my latest tests.
spring Garden
I’m learning a little bit of 3d modeling. Hope the ‘back and forth’ doesn’t get you motion sick.
I wanted to give you a sense of ‘space’ that you get to work in with this kind of project.
winter scene blender 3D
i am learning 3D modeling. I made this:
UPDATE: added snow
tree of life- 3d lighting
I’m learning to model in 3D with the program, Blender, and I am working on lighting. These are best 2 attempts so far:
My goal was to make the fruit on the tree appear like they are glowing.
Not so bright that you can’t see the skin, but an effect more like a paper lantern.
Which one do you like better?
a smooth way to transition between colors on a mesh?
I’m learning Blender, and starting to add color. I’m trying to figure out how to create a soft line between 2 different colors on the same mesh. The best solution I have come up with is to make a UV map, then brush the color by hand.
I’d like a simpler solution. Drawing on the UV map is close, but I would like the transition to be smoother. For example, I don’t want the texture that you see between the bird’s beak and body.
