#donwidmerpaperarts

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These cuties were made 2 weekends ago at Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival @kanelandarts . These pulp paintings (made from flax and sisal) are titled “The Honest Truth” and “Little White Lie.” In Cherokee folklore, the chickadee's song was the one to be trusted and the one who delivered an honest message. In contrast, the titmouse was known as "the bird that lies." To tell the difference between the calls of the two birds was to be able to discern truth from lies. #donwidmerpaperarts #handmadepaper #pulppainting #birdart #folklore #cherokeestories https://www.instagram.com/p/CreBs6UJh7V/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Rounding and Backing. This is my next step in the bookbinding process. First I glue up the spine and let it dry slightly. Then I begin rounding the spine gently, with my fingers, manipulating the spine into a convex shape. The purpose is to create a seamless form, allowing the book to flow smoothly from the front cover, to the spine, then to the back cover. Running one’s finger along the outside covers and spine of a well-formed book should be a smooth journey and encounter no bumps or impediments along the way! The final stage here is backing. I place the book in a finishing press and hammer the spine into its final rounded form, then let it dry under weight. #donwidmerpaperarts #bookbinding #finebinding #roundingandbacking #bookarts https://www.instagram.com/p/CrL8H4prH1G/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I’ll be demonstrating my pulp painting technique (a rare opportunity to see this in action) at this one day event. View student and professional artist work while supporting the arts in education @kanelandarts . Sunday April 16 11am-5pm at Kaneland High School in Maple Park. #donwidmerpaperarts #artsineducation #highschoolart #supportarts #pulppainting #handmadepaper #artfairs (at Kaneland High School) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq57xckrP77/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Sewing is one of my favorite parts of bookbinding. First I punch sewing holes in each folded section (called signatures). For this particular sewn structure one consideration is size of linen thread. The thread adds bulk to the spine and, although I do want a little bulk since this structure will have a round spine, I want to use as thin a thread as possible. The thread is waxed and I sew onto flat linen tapes using a sewing frame, keeping everything even and square. #donwidmerpaperarts #bookbinding #finebinding #handmadebooks #paperarts https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqn6bUZJZGf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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All set up at Art in the Castle at Castle Farms in Charlevoix. Find me in booth 54. #donwidmerpaperarts #pulppainting #handmadepaper #artfairs #castlefarms #artinthecastle (at Castle Farms) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqf6d6zLKYq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Join me this weekend at Castle Farms in Charlevoix MI for “Art in the Castle,” a juried fine art market. Hours are 11-5 both days. Use the complimentary pass (otherwise admission is $5). Wine tastings are available! #donwidmerpaperarts #handmadepaper #pulppainting #artfairs #shoplocal #buyhandmade (at Castle Farms, Charlevoix Mi) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqV6Gcjpt3w/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Edge decoration is the next step in my book binding project. This step is extraneous, but I decided to do it because the page edges of my book had become discolored with grime after nearly a century. Edge decoration can be very fancy, with gold gilding or even painted scenery. My treatment is simple: a watercolor wash finished with a layer of beeswax. First the book needs to be clamped, edges dampened with a sponge, and then scraped (with a cabinet scraper) and sanded. The green edges of my book now correspond with the marbled endsheets and the child’s clothing from the original cover image. #donwidmerpaperarts #bookbinding #finebinding #edgedecoration #bookarts #bookconservation https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpx7GsrvaUa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I’m excited to have my tunnel book Fanny and the Doll Corpse, inspired by Glessner House and Frances Glessner Lee, included in this exhibit. “Pop-Up Books Through the Ages” explores the history of books with tactile and interactive components. This exhibit will be up until July 15 and is free and open to all. There are also docent led tours. Visit the @newberrylibrary website for details. #artistbooks #donwidmerpaperarts #tunnelbook #popupbook #newberrylibrary #francesglessnerlee #glessnerhouse (at The Newberry Library) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpf9lVrPYqL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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“Aido Hwedo: African Dragon” is a 6-color letterpress on denim paper. You can read more about the inspiration and creation of this piece on my blog (link in profile). This week I’m offering the unframed version for 50% off the listed price on Etsy with code SALE50. #donwidmerpaperarts #handmadepaper #letterpress #africanfolklore #fonpeople #westafrica #africanmythology #aidohwedo #ayidohwedo #africandragon https://www.instagram.com/p/CfW-LOepLSL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I revisited this design, originally created in 2014, using different fibers and placing a moon in the background. “Robie House no.12” depicts Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous house in Hyde Park (Chicago). It’s a flax pulp painting on paper made from milkweed, abaca and kenaf, 24x35 inches. #donwidmerpaperarts #pulppainting #handmadepaper #chicagoarchitecture #franklloydwright #robiehouse #prairiestyle https://www.instagram.com/p/CdGyxf6pfkK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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This is part of a triptych I’m working on. I find I often remove my buildings from their surrounding environment to emphasize their shapes. This one hints at the lake and sky. It’s the Chicago water tower. Flax pulp painting on abaca/cotton paper with foil inclusions, 30 x 18 inches. #donwidmerpaperarts #chicagoarchitecture #chicagowatertower #handmadepaper #pulppainting https://www.instagram.com/p/CYCcK3cF5Hn/?utm_medium=tumblr

[donwidmerpaperarts]

Another addition to my Crow Divination series: “Breakthrough.” The Viking rune watermark is called “dagaz” and means breakthrough (swipe to see). 8.75 x 5.5 inches. #donwidmerpaperarts #pulppainting #handmadepaper #dagaz #crowart #vikingrunes #crows https://www.instagram.com/p/CXebdB1PqHa/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Scroll to see the pulp layering process as I create “Proud Robin.” I start with a layer of cotton/abaca/kozo pulp (with recycled paper inclusions). The robin itself is created by layering pigmented flax pulp. 11 x 8.5 inches. #donwidmerpaperarts #pulppainting #handmadepaper #papermaking #robin #birdart #artprocess https://www.instagram.com/p/CSsLjZwrO2o/?utm_medium=tumblr

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”La Befana vien di notte” (the old witch comes by night) is letterpress printed in 2 colors on handmade hemp paper. I wrote the text based on the Italian folktale of La Befana, who refuses the Magi’s invitation to follow the star and, in her regret, has been searching for the Christ child ever since. Traditionally, the poverty of La Befana was more closely connected to the story of poor baby Jesus than the prosperous abundance provided by Santa Claus. I also printed these as cards (swipe to see). #donwidmerpaperarts #handmadepaper #letterpress #labefana #labefanaviendinotte #italianfolklore https://www.instagram.com/p/CVyGgeoP1Qs/?utm_medium=tumblr

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The Jolly Roger developed during the Golden Age of Piracy and different pirates had their own flags. The unique image and color indicated the attacking pirate (via their reputation) and the consequences of not surrendering. For example, a red background indicated no lives would be spared. So far in this series I’ve created the flag of Emanuel Wynn, the Burgee of the Pirate Yacht Club (an Antarctic sledge flag honoring the Jolly Roger), and the flag of Thomas Tew. These are all pulp paintings, some infused with cardamom or cloves, products of the spice islands, a common (and expensive) pirate treasure. 8.5 x 11 inches each. #donwidmerpaperarts #pulppainting #handmadepaper #pirateflag #thomastew #emanuelwynn #pirateyachtclub #flags https://www.instagram.com/p/CVgExzhBE_1/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Spudnik Press @spudnikpress, a community print shop in Chicago, is having its annual fundraiser. You can support them and buy art at the same time by bidding in their Spudraiser auction. My pulp painting “Krampus 4: I Carry Them to My Lair to Eat” starts at $125. It could be yours in time for Krampusnacht on Dec. 5. Visit spudnikpress.org. #donwidmerpaperarts #spudnikpress #fundraiser #supportartists #handmadepaper #pulppainting #communityprintshop #krampus #krampusart https://www.instagram.com/p/CU8ByWslzo6/?utm_medium=tumblr