Foundry Art Centre Award

Four awards were given last evening at the opening of "Paperwork: In, On, and Of Paper" at the Foundry Art Centre.  I was very honored that "Stone Circles and Estuaries" (on the right above) was selected by Juror Joan Hall for one of the three supporting awards. 

Elizabeth (center) receiving award from Joan Hall (right)

The second supporting award went to Donald Horstman from Fenton, MO for his mixed media book, "Turning, Turning, Turning;" and the third to Shirley Nachtrieb from St. Louis, MO for her watercolor painting, "Journey of the Souls." The Best of Show went to Jessica Star from St. Louis, MO for her paper, steel wool and wood sculpture, "To Accept the Loss of Two Elections." 42 artists from around the country were juried into the exhibition for their prints, paintings, baskets, drawings, sculptures, collages and mixed media that were in, on or made of paper.

Elizabeth speaking about her work (not in view) with visitors

Join us at the opening of "In, On and Of Paper V" at Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles, MO this Friday March 11 from 6-8pm!

Stone Circles and Estuaries (16x50")

Please join us for the opening of "In, On and Of Paper V" at the Foundry Art Centre, St. Charles, MO, on Friday, March 11 from 6-8pm.  Two of my handmade paper landscapes (shown here) were accepted into the exhibition, juried by papermaker Joan Hall. Both pieces constructed of handmade papers made from various fibers, walnut dye, indigo dye and mixed media were inspired by my photos and paintings of the china clay pits, disused tin mines, iron age ruins and seascapes of my husband's homeland, Cornwall, UK.  The exhibition will run March 11-April 29, 2011.

Tin Mines and China Clay (16x35")



Building Frames for the Foundry Art Centre Show

Busy making frames for two of my Cornish handmade paper reconstructions that have been accepted into the next show at the Foundry Art Centre, "Paper Work: In, On and Of Paper V" in St. Charles, MO. Decided to change the style of frame I usually make for my drawings and paintings to show less wood on the face which visually now feels lighter.  The two pieces that will be in the show are hanging over my left shoulder on this pix from my July 24, 2010 post.

At the time of the Main Street Art Gallery Show, I had decided to hang each piece without a frame, but the change in humidity continually caused the paper to move, curl, relax, then move again. The constant shifting made me a bit anxious and very unsatisfied with the overall presentation. Thus, I mounted each piece to foamcore with tabs of kozo mulberry paper.  But that alone still did not satisfy my desire to put a box, or line, or frame around this body of work.  When the framing is complete, I'll post a few more photos. The show at the Foundry opens March 11and runs through April 30, 2011 with the artists' opening from 6-8pm on March 11.

New Year - New Studio

After remodeling the kitchen last summer; sorting, purging, packing, and painting the entire kitchen and 2nd floor; reorganizing two attic storage spaces; installing 2 skylights on the second floor; refinishing the stairs; setting up a guest bedroom; and reorganizing the contents of three studios into one ... the new dry studio is FINALLY a reality.

And what a difference it makes working in a dry, warm environment in the winter. And what a winter we have had here in Edwardsville!! I am beginning to think we have returned to living in Upstate New York again. The wet papermaking studio is still in the basement and will be remodeled and reorganized when (or if) the snowy weather ever breaks. At least the first and second floors are now bright and welcoming.



Kitchen Remodel 2010



With almost everything in the studio in place, the Cornwall "Tin Mines and China Clay" series of handmade paper constructions continues. The only good thing about a frozen world outside the studio window, is that the garden does not yet beckon me to come out and play.  The same can not be said for my little dog, Dommino.

ARTEAST is this weekend in Madison County, IL!!

If you are looking for something to do with your family this beautiful fall weekend, please come to Eden UCC in Edwardsville as your first stop on the ARTEAST tour through Madison County, IL.  More than 150 artists will participate this year by opening their studios or exhibiting at a wide variety of locations.  I will be one of nine artists at Eden Church exhibiting my latest artwork.  All venues are free and many sites will not only have a large variety of  art on display, but many of the artists will be demonstrating thoughout the weekend.  For more information, pick up a tour map at Eden UCC or at Jacoby Art Center in Alton, IL.

E.L.E.M.E.N.T.S. Opening

Thanks to everyone who came to the opening of E.L.E.M.E.N.T.S. at Main Street Art Gallery in Edwardsville last night. Thanks to Kathryn Hopkins, who curated the show, the work of all six artists invited to exhibit fits together so well, one might think we had collaborated before creating the art. If you were unable to attend the opening, the show runs through August 28, 2010.

Tin Mines and China Clay

Mining in Cornwall dates back more than 3000 years when traders from the Mediterranean, such as the ancient Romans, visited Cornwall for their tin mines and other minerals. China clay, or kaolin, was discovered in Cornwall in 1746 by William Cooksworthy who filed his patent in 1768 and established the Plymouth Porcelain Company. Originally course earthenware, the new English white porcelain was available to the wealthy who desired the look of Chinese porcelain.

Although very little tin is mined in Cornwall today, the disused mines stand as beacons to Cornwall's rich history of mining. While China clay is still mined in Cornwall, many of the clay tips that appeared as white pyramids on the horizon during WWII have since been used for building materials.  One of the largest clay pits has been transformed into Eden Project, the largest botanical biosphere gardens in the world.

Eden Project

In May 2005, Peter and I met with Dr. Jo Readman, the Director of Education at Eden Project, when I donated a copy of my research, "Handmade Paper from the Crops of Madison County," to their library. At that time, Eden Project was planning a new exhibition, "Paper Trail," focusing on plants around the globe that might be used in papermaking.

Dr. Jo Readman and Elizabeth at Eden Project's Research Library

Tin Mines and China Clay

Tin Mines and China Clay (detail during construction)

Inspired by the Cornish landscape and knowledge gained through my plein air abstract paintings of Cornwall coastlines, my latest handmade paper constructions were created with flax and abaca paper pigmented, dyed, stitched and textured in the elements of coastal paths, pebbled beaches, disused tin mines that travel deep into the earth and out under the Atlantic, china clay mines that erupt from the landscape, brightly colored fishing boats, windswept moors and the ever-changing atmosphere of the sea.

From Sea to Moors to Sea (new title)

Four of my handmade paper constructions will be on display, along with the five tidal pool paintings, at tonights opening of E.L.E.M.E.N.T.S. at Main Street Art Gallery in Edwardsville, IL from 6-8pm. The exhibition runs July 23 through August 28, 2010.