In My Workroom: Paper Based Vessels

Friday, January 12, 2024

Paper Based Vessels

Welcome

This class is going to be about making vessels of different shapes and sizes using a variety of paper based techniques and materials. While teaching Paper, Paint, Stitch and More… I discovered paper artists who also explored the use of paper in 3 dimensional ways and that led me to those who made paper vessels.

I was smitten. They were so beautiful, so delicate yet strong, so organic. The only problem was that I couldn’t find a lot of instructions --- just a few images here and there of some very intriguing vessels with a caption underneath mentioning the materials used to create them.

That led to a lengthy period of dropping down rabbit holes and following images back to artist blogs, searching online and experimentation. If you are hoping for all the answers, I’m sorry, I don’t have them. What I do have to share are my experiences working with several types of paper (the number is constantly growing as I sort through what I have on hand) to make paper mâché vessels, as well as some time spent dabbling with paper clay and paper pulp to see how that adapts to making vessels.

I found that for me, making the vessel was just the first step. As happy as I might be with the shape, if it sits still long enough, I want to put some stitches into it. Luckily, paper and I have a happy history when it comes to stitching. I find it a very rewarding medium to work with and while the 3-dimensional shape might provide a challenge occasionally, it’s one I enjoy.

The list of things that I still want to try is longer than the list of things that I have tried, and I am hoping that I will get to experiment with some of those ideas during this class. It all starts with, “I wonder what would happen if …?” Once you’ve made a vessel or two, you’ll know just what I mean.