PAPERWORKS - Creative Edge July 2021
DESIGNS & TEXT BY HITOMI GILLIAM AIFD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLIN GILLIAM
“In this month’s design collection, I wanted to share 3 different ways you can use Paper as a source of inspiration, the focus Element of Inspiration. In designing each structure for flowering, using paper as the secondary medium of ART, these flower design becomes great examples of Hybrid Art. These designs marry the special attributes and ability of Paper with that of Botanicals to create a different approach to Art and Flowers. Creating combined story through varying contrasts of color, texture, line and form to produce exciting expression.
In all 3 designs, the use of flower is approached with restraint… this provide effective balance of visibility of the 2 medium, not to overtake the other – to portray near ideal proportion, one complementing the other effectively.”
“Paper Terminology…
Washi Paper:
Traditional Japanese paper. Washi is the term used to describe paper that uses local fibers processed by hand and made in traditional manner. Fiber used are from the inner bark of Gampi Tree (Wikstroemeria albiflora), Mitsumata Shrub (Edgeworthia chrysantha), Kozo Bush (Broussonetia papyrifera). It can be from very sheer semi-transparent quality to a much denser thick paper.
Mulberry Paper:
Paper made from the fibers and pulp from Paper Mulberry bush – Broussonetia papyrifera
”
DESIGN #1
‘Art of Paper - Revisited’
“An opportunity to use one of my most favorite paper in my collection, an artful deckle-edged Mulberry paper (heavy weight). The embedded fibers are visually rugged and beautiful with stringy element spilling out from the edges. The full nature and beauty of this pulp product demands to be seen. This makes my decision easy to keep the floral design to complement this Paperwork simple, only to flatter with color and contrast to its texture.
It is Smokebush season… no botanical is as texturous as Cotinus coggygria (dark purple). Overlaid on the paper surface gives the notion of vaporization or smouldering… changing from solid to gaseous state. Nerine and Ranunculus are shrouded by smoke, just barely peeking through. The feature Progea’s stem is obscured by the smoke so it appears very light and almost floating. All flowers are in water, in the raffia wrapped water tubes. The paper structure is built on an upright 4x4” wood block, with 2 marshmallow bamboo skewers drilled into the block for upright portion of the vertical grid. The roll of paper is hot-glued to the grid, front and back. There are 2 layers of paper… wide band (light pink) with an overlay of narrow middle strip (purple).
Less is More Design florally, but the added Artful Paperworks as textural contrast, the Art value is elevated.
”
BOTANICALS Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria), Nerine bowdenii ‘Minerva’, Protea ‘Brenda’, Ranunculus asiaticus
SUPPLIES Handmade Mulberry Art Paper with deckle edge, Wood block (4x4”), Marshmallow Bamboo Skewers, Bindwire, 4” Watertubes, Bamboo Skewers, Raffia, Glue gun
DESIGN #2
‘Torn Texture with Washi’
“Beautifully crafted light and transparent Washi Paper in this composition is a result of deconstruction/reconstruction process. 2 full sheets of Washi Paper were randomly torn into small (approx.. 2x2” pcs). Each piece was pinched in the middle and glued into the rectangle wire mesh structure, into the random square cells from the front side and back side. The whole structure is supported by 3 glass rods drilled into the horizontal 4x4” block. The 2 bamboo cross pieces are bindwired to the vertical glass rods.
The initial linear flow is created by aluminum wired Equisetum attached with bindwire to the wire frame. The botanicals are placed in the following order with stems inserted into water-filled Equisetum tubes.
1. Jasmine vine flowing horizontally
2. Short Clematis stems in equisetum
3. Eryngium shorts in cluster of 2 or 3
4. The whole design is punctuated by the Alocasis foliage for interest and intrigue
The flowers are perfect textural complement to the ultra soft, fluffy cloud-like surface of paper. It shrouds but mechanically hold the Equisetum water tubes and flowers beautifully. These watertubes are glued to the paper structure with hot glue. The ease of securing the water tubes in position desired is a very wonderful feature of this PAPERWORK structure.
”
BOTANICALS Clematis ‘Amazing London’, Eryngium Questa Green, Alocasia amazonica, Jasmine Vine (Jasminum officinale), Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale)
SUPPLIES Washi Paper, Wire Mesh (Smithers-Oasis), Wood Block (4x4”), Glass Rods, Bamboo Stakes, Bindwire, Glue gun
DESIGN #3
‘Roll & Wrap with Mulberry Paper’
“Large sheets of mid-weight Mulberry paper are cut into varied lengths and widths in triangular strips. With rough side out, these long triangles are rolled over long glue sticks into cylindrical shapes with end glued shut. The glue stick is pulled out. These rolls are then wrapped lightly with copper bullion wire decoratively, and then banded neatly with tan bindwire. 10 - 4” clear water tubes are also wrapped with paper, glued and finished with bullion and bindwire wrap. The base for this PAPERWORKS structure is a metal rectangular vase with a layer of 2” Styrofoam embedded inside. 4 marshmallow bamboo skewers are hot-glued into the Styrofoam, after which the rocks are placed over to weigh down the Styrofoam so the container can be filled with water. The longest paper rolls are hot-glued over the bamboo skewers. 2 bamboo stakes are glued to the paper uprights horizontally – these serve as the gluing base, along with paper rolls and water tubes glued to each other to build a sturdy paper structure for flowering. This is the best part of PAPERWORKS…. No need for screwing or drilling or wiring… Everything can be constructed by hot-gluing.
The flowering begins with Smokebush to set a very ephemeral, smoky, light levitating texture. The beautiful long stems of Parrot tulips float from water tube or vase to create a sinuous interplay of line with graceful opening blossoms. The tinge of peach blush in the tulip converges with the rich peach color of ‘Totally Tangerine’ Dahlia in the focal emphasis area of the design.
Simplicity in the way the flowers are designed is the key to keep the composition uncluttered, with the story clearly spoken.
”
BOTANICALS Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria), Parrot Tulip ‘Apricot’, Dahlia ‘Totally Tangerine’, Ficus Roots (Ficus benghalensis), Maiden Fern (Adiantum raddianum)
SUPPLIES Mulberry Paper, Glue Gun, Copper Bullion Wire, Bindwire, UGlu dashes, Marshmallow Bamboo Skewers, Metal Container, Rocks, 2” Styrofoam Strip
