An Abundance of Paper Goodness

I have been swamped with paper activities the past few weeks. Today I would like to take some time to write about all the goings on in my studio and at workshops.

1. I am in the middle of an online workshop called Paper Love helmed by Rachel Hazell, a feisty british woman who calls herself the traveling bookbinder. It is a 5 week course with lessons 6 days a week. 50+ participants are traveling together on this paper journey communicating via Facebook and Instagram. I have found my tribe and we live everywhere.

Paper tape made with any paper and double sided tape.

Collage employing the Golden Spiral.

Another collage with a cut map and torn papers.

My Alice in Wonderland collaged box to hold paper goodies.

Boxes made from watercolor paper and a map stencil.

2. I took an amazing workshop last weekend with Helen Hiebert through San Diego Book Arts and made the projects you see below with my fellow participants. What fun to light up paper!

Luminary screen from Helen's class.

Woven paper luminaries before we hinged and wrapped them.

Paper blow up ball.

3. I will be teaching a new class next Friday (November 18) from 1-3 PM at Art Lounge on 101. Sign up on the website and I hope to see you there.

Fall colored crane book class at Art Lounge on 101

Sample books for the crane class: Taking Flight.

4. Somehow I have also found time in this flurry of paper goodness to attend two artist's opening receptions this week. The first one is the San Diego Book Arts annual member show at Francis Parker School's Rose Art Gallery. The second is Bhavna Mehta's cut paper extravaganza "Nightfall" at Bread and Cie on University Ave. in Hillcrest. There is plenty of time to check out both shows and they are worth the drive (also Bread and Cie has wonderful bakery items).

Closeup of Nightfall by Bhavna Mehta.

Part of the 12 panel, 30 foot cut paper and embrodery work by Bhavna at Bread and Cie.

I hope this will inspired you to try some new paper ideas and get out and see some amazing paper/book art in San Diego.

Enjoy!

-Gina

Four Corner Map Fold

I was reviewing my folder of prototypes the other day and came across a structure I created a few months ago and forgot about. I am making some samples for a friend and thought this one would be interesting to share. Instead of just sharing with her I decided to share it with all of you as well.
Below are pictures of the structure being folded as well as the crease pattern for folding it yourself. One piece of advice, fold before making the 8 cuts. It is easier that way.

Enjoy!

Diagonal and linear folds completed.

Collapsed model ready to fold in the corners.

Folding the corners to prepare to inside reverse fold them.

Beginning to collapse the model with all the folds present.

(Outside of model)

Inside of model with all the folds properly creased.

One way of displaying the piece.

 I like the way the four inside corners form the star in the center.

Folding the model closed.

Crease pattern for this structure.

Art Tour of Tacoma

I spent the weekend in rainy, windy Tacoma. My son and I went on the Tacoma Studio Tour and met many wonderful artists. We learned some Sumi painting techniques and made ceramic tiles as well. We met potters and painters, printers and marblers. It was a great way to see the city and meet some of its talented residents. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Enjoy!

Flying into Seattle Friday, October 14.

Printed at Springtide Press

Sumi Ink painting taught by Lois Yoshida.

Artwork by Fumiko Kimura.

Hand marbled paper by Karen Perrine

Rainbow over Tacoma.

Wooden bone folder by Henry Haneda.

Rainbow over University of Puget Sound

New Classes at Art Lounge on 101

I will be teaching two more classes at the Art Lounge on 101 in October and November. I hope some of you can join me for folding fun and a new structure. Sign up on the website:

http://artloungeon101.com/

I am teaching The Road to Spring on October 29 from 10-1 and a new structure called Taking Flight on November 18 from 1-3 PM at 816 South Coast Hwy 101 in Encinitas, across from the Lumberyard. It is a roomy space with lots of natural light that is good for folding. Below are pictures of the books we will be making.

Enjoy!

-Gina

The Road to Spring folded book.

Taking Flight-crane book.

Several examples of this structure.

A Lifetime of Collecting

I don't know about you, but I have been a collector all my life. I remember finding shells and crystals at Lake Ontario with friends as a child. Whenever I am near a beach I still like to look for rocks, shells and sea glass. I even found someone's class ring at the beach once. My hands can't help but pick up interesting bits and pieces. I bring them home, wash and sort them and display them around the house. I have even written poems about collecting. Here is a glimpse at some of my collections.

I hope you treasure your collections too.

-Gina

Crystals from Lake Ontario and the 1970's box they have lived in ever since.

I converted an old watch crystal case into a hub for my various collections. 

Sea glass from my travels displayed in old glass jars.

Glass, pottery and coral from a recent trip to Scotland.

A Poem on Collecting:

Butterflies rest on the rim of a sink

Static blue shells washed free of sand

Ready to fly at the stir of a breeze

They beg for collection in a child's small hand.

Thoughts on Teaching

I have been a teacher for many years. I was once a science and art teacher at a school for the deaf in Massachusetts. I taught art classes at my kids elementary school and more recently book arts classes in San Diego and Tacoma have been my focus. It is always a learning experience to teach a group of people a new concept. I am looking forward to more of these experiences.

Here are some pictures of my student's hands folding paper in our Road to Spring workshop from Saturday's class at the Art Lounge on 101.  I just love expressive hands folding paper.

Enjoy!

Teaching at Art Lounge on 101

For those of you in the San Diego area, I will be teaching an origami book structure I invented called " The Road to Spring" on September 17 at Art Lounge on 101. Here is the flier for the class and the books that were inspired by this structure.

Enjoy,

Gina

Example made with rectangular sections.

The Road to Spring, my first book made with this structure.

Companion Star, shown with the "pages" removed.

As Deep Can Be closed.

Sample book with flattened points so it can stand up.

Spiral Atlas, variation on the basic structure.