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Hands on Paper
This is a picture of me in my "Studio" i.e. Shed, with some paper drying in the background.
I have been making paper since 1984 and have been teaching adults since 1991. My interest began as a hobby but has expanded to a way of life. My first contact with paper artists was in 1987 at the first Australian Paper Conference that was held in Hobart in May of that year. Until that time I had been making cards from recycled paper and selling them through several craft shops around Melbourne. Through this conference the papermakers in Melbourne met and decided to meet again. From this Papermakers of Victoria was begun . I have been on the committee since the group was formed in 1989 and am currently President.I have exhibited in each of the group shows since then, approximately one per year. I have also exhibited in other shows including CAE tutors and students' shows at the Moore Gallery, Wesley College Art and Craft shows, Woodworkers Annual Exhibitions and Meat Market Christmas Shows. I do just about all you can with paper. I cast it, paint with it, make books and stationary with it and still make the cards that I started making over ten years ago. I have been very involved with the group exhibition " Room for Paper" from the planning stages to making the installation.
Paper Samples
Paper can be made with flowers, threads, plant fibres,hearts or other additives.
This paper has been made by dipping the mould into two vats twice.First in a vat with cream recycled mount board, then in a vat of blue recycled paper with dried brown boronia and forget-me-not flowers added but it was only dipped half way in and was scooped out with lots of flowers.
Plain paper can be embossed with lace or with initials for special occassions.
This paper was made from recycled mount board and pressed with a fairly heavy lace. The lace was left on until the paper dried.
I currently run workshops for CAE and Monash University and if requested can run classes at home. The CAE classes are run at the Ola Cohn Centre,41 Gipps street, East Melbourne and the Monash University classes at the Short Courses Centre in the Clayton campus
Copyright © 1997 Gail Stiffe,11 Keltie Street, Burwood,Victoria, Australia