Wednesday, September 13, 2017

The End of Summer, Experiment Results, & Upcoming Events

In between visiting family in Minnesota, a trip to Europe, and other art/non-art related projects, another summer has whizzed by! However, I was able to give presentations about Foreshadowing at the For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum and the Herrick District Library, as well as participate in an exhibit at Keeler Gallery in Grand Rapids. I was also honored to have had my proposal to speak about how art can foster civic engagement in science and sustainability accepted to the Global Sustainability Conference in Stockholm, though I was unable to attend. And while my attempts to photograph some of the endangered plant species on this summer's "to do" list weren't very successful, I did manage to make a few batches of paper from narrow-leaf cattail that I collected last summer at MSU's Kellogg Biological Station. It's a beautiful, strong paper and I'm anxious to start making some new prints!



On to the experiment - at one of my presentations, someone had asked if the paper I make from invasive plant species would take root if planted, so I decided to put it to the test. I planted pieces of phragmites, reed canarygrass, and garlic mustard paper and after two months of keeping the soil moist and setting them in the sun......nothing grew. The paper pieces had simply turned to mush. If anyone has suggestions for another method or experiment, I'm all ears.



Over the next few weeks I'll be participating in the following events. If you're in that neck of the woods, drop by and say hello!

Sept. 18 - Presentation to the Huron Valley Botanical Club, 7:30 p.m. at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor

Oct. 9 - Dessert with Discussion, 7 - 9 p.m., at Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners

Oct. 21 & 22 - Arts & Eats Tour at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in Augusta - details below





Thursday, February 23, 2017

An Experiment & A Show

First the show! If you're in the Kerrytown District of Ann Arbor between February 24 to March 19, stop by Found Gallery and check out some of the new prints in the Foreshadowing series. I'll be at there this Sunday, February 26th for a Meet-the-Artist event from 12:00 - 5:00 which will feature a slideshow presentation and a demonstration of an alcohol gel transfer onto invasive plant species paper at 1:30 p.m.

Here are two of the newest prints for the show.

compass plant (Silphium laciniatum) on reed canarygrass paper w/ a reclaimed cherry wood frame



 Queen-of-the-prairie (Filipendula rubra) on garlic mustard paper w/ a reclaimed walnut wood frame


You'll have to go to the show to see the rest. :)


Now for the experiment - someone recently asked if it's possible for invasive plant species to grow once they've been turned into paper. As I only use the stalks and leaves, while removing all seeds and roots, I don't think it's possible. However, I'm going to put it to the test regardless. I've planted three pieces of invasive plant species paper - phragmites, reed canarygrass, and garlic mustard. If they do take root, it will be miraculous! 

So now we wait.....