Nature In Print

During October I'm showing selected monoprints at Hanasho, a Japanese Florist at West End.

I've got some of my willy-wag tail series, as well as lots of small prints I discovered in my folios. I have framed them up, and wondered why I hadn't done that sooner!

All the prints have a nature based theme and feature lots of colour, lines and textures.  Prices range from $90 to $300, most are framed ready to hang.

Join me for drinks Thursday 3rd October at 6.30pm.

Silk Paper

As part of my upcoming exhibition 'Passage' at the Caboolture Hub Gallery, I have been exploring silk paper as a medium on which to monoprint.

There are several ways of making silk paper.  I use the iron method with silk cocoon strippings, where the outer sericin (or gum) in the fibre has not been removed during the industrial process.  All silk comes from the cocoon produced by the silk worm (remember them?  I think we all had them as 'pets' when we were children).

To make silk paper, I lay out the silk fibers, mist it with water, and iron it between sheets of baking paper.  The addition of moisture and heat activates the sericin and softens it enough for it to bind the fibres together.  When the paper is cool and has dried, the sericin reverts to its natural state and glues the fibres permanently.

I'm addicted to making silk paper....  I love how I can easily turn a silk by-product into a beautiful soft textured surface on which I can print.  I prefer to lay down the fibres in a random manner (which suits my style!) so the resulting paper is uneven and full of 'holes'.  This is a perfect result, making the paper transparent and light in places, but still with plenty of strength.

For my exhibition, I have completed an artists book using silk paper and today I'm working on a large hanging piece, about 3 metres long.  The photos below are of the hanging piece in progress, before printing.

Silk cocoon strippings,
bought online from Silksational $13 for 100g

laying out the fibres, similar to
making felt

Misting with water

Ironing between sheets of baking paper.
This is the only sort of ironing I enjoy!

The completed sheet of silk paper, 3m long.
Ready for printing.

Detail from my artist book 'Ephemeral',
showing monprints on silk paper.