ALL in Lowell

Recently I visited Van Gogh’s Gear in Lowell to purchase some art supplies for an upcoming show, (more on that later). Laura, who works there, was great in helping with practical tips for framing and displaying works on paper. Laura mainly works with oils, but has started to get back into printmaking. She encouraged us to visit the exhibit in the room adjoining the shop, The Fabrication of Imagination, by Arts League of Lowell – ALL, sponsored by Artscope Magazine.  The show just ended, but thought I would share some of the works by members of ALL. These photos are also posted on Paper Connection International’s Facebook, where I freelance. Paper Connection is a great resource for handmade paper for all sorts of art applications.

Various Printmaking by Laura Shaw

October 3, 2017 by kimolily Categories: art, Lowell, lowell artists, paper, paper crafts, UncategorizedTags: Arts League of Lowell, Artscope Magazine, fiber arts, handmade paper, new england, paper connection, Paper Connection International, Van Gogh's Gear Leave a comment

Language Lessons on Paper

                                                     Do you know what this says?

This is a new Japanese silkscreen print from Paper Connection International,

which roughly translates to celebrate.

Check out more of their language lessons on paper!

July 26, 2012 by kimolily Categories: art, Japanese Paper, kanjiTags: celebrate, japanese, japanese language, paper, paper connection, Paper Connection International, silkscreen, silkscreens, washi Leave a comment

Handmade Journal-ism

Looking to record your year’s adventures in something a bit more interesting than a spiral notebook? Did you know Paper Connection is having a journal sale?  Take advantage of their many different patterns and styles in handmade Lokta paper from Nepal. Tree free, handcrafted out of bast fibers, these journals will last a long time, even as long as your summer memories.

July 19, 2012 by kimolily Categories: lokta, nepalTags: handmade, handmade paper, journals, paper connection, Paper Connection International, summer trips, vacation Leave a comment

Paper Thin Flower

It’s made of paper, or washi, in Japanese.
My younger sister handmade this gorgeous flower out of tengujou-shi, the thinnest handmade paper from Japan, that had been hand painted as well. She used a craft pack from our dear friends at Paper Connection International, and with her vision, voila!  The paper is actually made by a national treasure of Japan, Mr. Hamada. Kozo, or mulberry bushes indigenous to Japan, are responsibly farmed in the southwestern part of Japan, where they are then made into pure weblike sheets using traditional papermaking methods. Light fast pigments are then applied.  Acid free, these papers are used for more than just collage and book arts, but even conservation of art and book repair. Try it yourself!

The stem is also made out of washi, or paper in Japanese.

January 4, 2012 by kimolily Categories: DIY, japanese, kozo, washiTags: flower making, handmade paper, Japanese Paper, making flowers, mulberry, paper arts, Paper Connection International, paper crafts, paper flowers, pigments, tengujo, tengujoushi, thin paper Leave a comment

Craving Katazome?

Tired of a white out winter? If you are craving happy colors, check out these handmade cards from Yamada Shokai, Japan collected by Lauren at Paper Connection International.  Katazome is an amazing Japanese craft of resist dyeing on paper or fabric. It’s one of my favorite printmaking techniques.

February 17, 2011 by kimolily Categories: japanese, katazome, printmakingTags: handmade cards, handmade paper, Japanese cards, paper connection, Paper Connection International, resist dyeing, spring happy colors, winter blues, Yamada Shokai Leave a comment