Art Workshop - Japanese Papermaking

Dive into the process of traditional Japanese papermaking. We will use the three main fibers of Japan: kozo, gampi, and mitsumata. These plants all have long fibers that produce delicate and unique papers. We will start from the beginning, beating the fibers by hand. After learning the nuances of each fiber, we will make paper using a sugeta, or mold and deckle. We will add color to the pulp, along with natural dried flowers, silk threads, and other organic materials. All of these components will serve to help students create one-of-a-kind papers. The paper we produce can be used for mixed-media work, bookmaking, or sculpting, or appreciated as a work of art in itself.

JOANNE LAUDOLFF is a Saugatuck-based artist working in papermaking, fibers, and printmaking. She has studied these disciplines at Northern Illinois University, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sandra Jensen Studio, and Ox-Bow. She has led workshops over the past 20 years at the Nature Printing Society, the Morton Arboretum, and the DuPage Art League, among many other venues.