My experiments in paper weaving continue. The more I work in this medium, the more excited I am about the possibilities for interaction between formal woven structures and painted or photographed imagery. They can reinforce each other, or disrupt each other, or both. My imagery right now is inspired by the songbirds I observe, both their bright colors and their songs. How do you convey birdsong visually?
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| Dawn Chorus 1. weaving 7.5" x 11.75"; overall 12" x 15". watercolor. (c) Molly Elkind 2024 |
Collage-ers gotta collage. I'm really enjoying juxtaposing multitple papers with different patterns in the same weave.
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| Dawn Chorus 2. weaving 12" x 23"; 21" x 31". acrylic, watercolor. (c) Molly Elkind 2024 |
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| Dawn Chorus 2, detail. weaving 12" x 23; overall 21" x 31". acrylic, watercolor. (c) Molly Elkind 2024 |
One of the great advantages of weaving structures in paper is that you are not limited by a specific number of shafts on your loom or by the threading or tie-up. This kind of weaving is basically a pick-up technique so you can vary each pick at will.
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| Four Bluebirds. weaving 15" x 11.5"; overall 19" x 14". watercolor, spray paint. (c) Molly Elkind 2024 |
One path I'm exploring involves weaving an all-white construction in a particular structure, painting it, unweaving it, and then re-weaving it in a different structure. The painted image is disrupted and fragmented by the white parts of the strips that show in the new weave, lending a flickering, blurred quality to the image. I suppose it's a rough sort of ikat.
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| Four Goldfinches. weaving 13" x 15.5"; overall 17" x 21". watercolor, spray paint. (c) Molly Elkind 2024 |
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| Four Goldfinches, detail. weaving 13" x 15.5"; overall 17" x 21". watercolor, spray paint. (c) Molly Elkind 2024 |
After making a number of small-scale weavings, I took the plunge and ordered a new, larger rotary paper cutter that can cut strips up to 28" long with incredible accuracy. I am enjoying beginning to work larger.
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| When completed, this piece will measure approximately 14.5" x 24.5". That's the Dahle paper cutter on the right, and my "loom" is now a section of cardboard cut from a large box. Double-stick tape holds down these "warps." |
Perhaps only a tapestry weaver would say that this is a fast process. But since I first started exploring this technique in early April, I've made 12 pieces I consider worthy of framing and adding to my inventory, as well as a number of studies and samples. It would take me 1-2 years to weave an equivalent number of tapestries. And the process of paper weaving, while physically taxing if I do it without breaks (which I now know not to do!) at least stresses different muscles and soft tissues than tapestry weaving does.
For me right now, the possibilities of exploiting the interaction of woven structure, image, and materials is so exciting that I'm developing a new class about it. Stay tuned--and let me know if you’re interested!
PS. I really appreciated your comments on last month's post about the pieces you liked best. Please feel free to weigh in on these too!
