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What will you be teaching this weekend at The American Museum of Papermaking? (Steve Miller)
A workshop on the Victorian craft of making paper beads, with a modern twist.
What Victorian tradition is that?
During the Victorian period, with the advent of machine-made paper, paper crafts began developing. Paper beads were an outgrowth, working with wallpaper scraps. What we'll be doing is exploring different shapes and structures of rolled paper, and the broad possibilities that are only limited by imagination. Jewelry, sculptural possibilities, book closures, accents and elements to boxes, and decorative elements for packaging. The paper can be recycled, using other materials and giving them new form, and the content of the previous form finds its way into bead shapes.
It's fun to bring another aspect of paper to the AMP through my visit and workshop.
Having graduated from the BA program at UA, you now you live in Portland, OR, and are involved in a number of things there. What is your life like?
I do a combination of things to earn my living, and try to balance time for making art with making a living. I work as a freelance graphic designer under my imprint, Instar Graphics. I work part-time in a local graphic design studio. And I am the Executive Director of the Friends of Dard Hunter, a national organization of hand papermakers. I am on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Book Arts Guild, and am active in teaching book arts workshops locally, as well as assist in planning the biannual OBAG Book Arts Focus conference.
After graduating from the MFA program, I went to Portland and reconnected with my original printing mentor, and helped him finish a handmade limited edition book project. In the process I was able to purchase a Vandercook Universal 3 proof press--the Harley Davidson of the Vandercook line--plus type and other print shop necessities. I'm not able to use the Vandy as much as I would like with my current schedule. I do plan for projects and work on them when I'm able.
What does your work with the Dard Hunter group entail?
I coordinate the logistics and the publications of the organization, and maintain the database of members. I design the layout of its Bull & Branch newsletter that comes out three times a year, and the membership directory. I provide some continuity for this great organization coming up on its 25th anniversary (2006). There is a terrific gathering that attracts enthusiastic hand papermakers, artists, conservators, historians and scientists held in a different city each year that I am heavily involved with. Our next meeting is in San Antonio TX, and I am currently in the organization phase of it, with the Board.
What do you hope to accomplish in your workshop this weekend?
To inspire people to see the sculptural possibilities of paper on an intimate scale. I love doing the research and preparation for these workshops and I am looking forward to further investigations of new and related topics for workshops in the Book Arts. I find it very rewarding to share my excitement and enthusiasm in the book arts through working with students.
