So I am still struggling to get down to work. I am feeling wooly and vague and TIRED. I must get some work done, deadlines are looming but I find myself just day dreaming and staring at the materials or watching the wind rustle the leaves in the trees outside the studio.
Saturday it was too hot to even think about being in an attic, so I went outside to dye paper for one of those projects I should be working on. I did manage to dye about 100 sheets in various shades of purple, along with my arms which weren’t covered by my gloves (poor planning on my part). The paper looked amazing blowing on my laundry line.
drying on the line
Then I thought I might give paste papers a try. I had some cellulose paste and all this paper. I have never tried making my own paste papers before and even though I had instructions I wasn’t really sure I was doing it right and I really didn’t like the way they were looking so I gave up. I made a huge sticky mess. I hung up my failed attempts to dry (I just can’t throw paper away) and chalked the whole thing up to experience.
Later that evening, after a great steak on the grill and some Johnnie Walker Red Label, I figured I had better bring the paper in as it was supposed to storm, and I was surprised to find that as they dried the papers became less ugly (or maybe that was just the scotch!) I am still not happy, even for a first attempt they are dismal, but I guess I should have stuck at it a bit longer and persevered. It seems from looking at the final result that I didn’t use enough paste, anyway – if I have bought paste paper from you in the past, don’t despair – I will still be buying it from you in the future. But maybe I will sign up for the next class I see. Clearly there are some things I could not figure out from my printed directions that might be easier to learn from a person. Anyhow here are some pictures of my sad paste paper attempts.
OK – try not to laugh!
Then I spent a whole afternoon on Sunday ironing all that crinkly paper and watching Dr. Who reruns. I am hoping to get down to work on the actual project tonight after dinner, so maybe pictures tomorrow.
Deb's Studio Blog 
Keep at it! The muse comes to the moving brush!
yes she does! just trying to keep in motion…
Dear Sweet Deb-
You are way too hard on yourself. I had to research what paste paper was- never heard of it before. In doing so- I saw this site- the first one I came to:
http://www.inward-bound.us/pastepaper.html
It indicated that trial and error is part of the process- and to have fun!!! I always love what you do and am so inspired- just seeing you try such unusual techniques! You are so talented- and sometimes- we all need to just relax- watch the wind blowing- smile and tease out what’s really important in what we’re doing! Wanted to also let you know I just loved your “egg” still life in Seth’s post !! You are always rockin in my book!! xo
Jilly – you are such a BLAST of light and goodness – I LOVE it when you drop by – I feel like a better woman! Thanks, and yes, obviously I needed to play a little harder and longer – but really it makes an enormous sticky mess, so I am thinking there are some things I could certainly learn from a class – I hope I can find one. I really enjoyed dyeing the paper, so I am thinking that I might try again next time I have an open day – it takes much longer than I expected! I still love my eggs, I have a few pieces at home that never sold – and I am pretty happy about that!
That is really a gorgeous bright purple. I have no idea how to make paste papers, but if scotch makes things look better, I should probably start drinking right away…
I find scotch improves almost everything! And the paper really is a very pretty purple, even the lighter ones are a sweet lavender colour. Would you like some – I dyed way more than I will need?
p.s. re your last post- I hope you got a tetanus shot after stabbing yourself with that knife. I’m actually serious about this- based on the fact that my dad’s a doctor, so I think about these things, and, more to the point, I’ve stabbed myself twice!
and yes my tetanus shot was up to date – my doctor keeps on top of me knowing what unusual things I get up to!! It is starting to heal up, but right now I have an amazing technicolor bruise!! Looks much worse than it feels, as long as I don’t hit it on anything!
I have many days like this : ). Nice to see I’m not the only one.
Thanks for stopping by – hope all your days end well too!