Category Archives: explorations

bones to skin

The latest studio babies were born in spontaneity and joy! I found some bramble scraps on my way to making paper and I decided to experiment with them as armatures. As a papermaker, what is unique to the process is that beaten pulps have a short shelf life. There is a limited window of timeContinue reading “bones to skin”

root to rise

So much gratitude for teachers that have planted seeds, provided encouragement, asked complex questions and shown interest artists, weirdos, outliers, misfits, wallflowers, wild cards communities that help with feeling seen and heard studio space & studio practice friends and neighbors that come to shows and stay connected discovering the magic of one’s own hidden mysteries,Continue reading “root to rise”

pale pink papermaking

My latest joy in the studio has been making paper with a new handmade sugeta mould. The mould consists of 2 parts – an interior flexible bamboo-splint mat, and an exterior framework which houses it. My main goal is creating consistent sheets – in color, texture and weight. I aim to make a good numberContinue reading “pale pink papermaking”

clouds in a sheet of paper

As one of the simplest forms of human technology, it could be argued that paper has had the most impact on the proliferation and preservation of knowledge worldwide. When I work with paper as a medium and/or as a support, some of the questions that provoke my research are: How do paper and books operate within social,Continue reading “clouds in a sheet of paper”

bookwork in progress

The french phrase, “nous sommes simplement de passage” translates into “we are only here for a moment’s time.” This bookwork of grief is a personal confrontation of a silent event, recognizing that the process of healing is communal. Every book is coded, a system of signs to be decoded by its reader. It is theContinue reading “bookwork in progress”

studio visits at VSC residency

I was awarded a Civil Society Institute Fellowship at the Vermont Studio Center to participate as an artist-in-residence. I had my first studio visits here with Byron Kim, Jen Bervin and Miguel Luciano. Open Studios, book-spread inspired walls, influenced by writers in-residence… Visual Artists in residency, Vermont Studio Center May 2016 (Barbara White Studios)

a less controlled state of image making

“The tension of the string against the tape led to unpredictable changes in the form of the drawing over the course of it’s lifespan. Initially when I returned home to find a drawing had lost some of it’s structure, drooping or tangled into itself, I felt a disappointment at the loss of the precision ofContinue reading “a less controlled state of image making”

Times at Sam Rit

My partner and I were lucky to be at Sam Rit artist residency during the rice harvest. We found piles of rice on the grounds of the local wat, in front of the school, along roadsides…they were all over town. Workers even pitched tents to watch over their rice. It was an interesting phenomenon toContinue reading “Times at Sam Rit”

what will you leave behind?

Happy Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). “What Will You Leave Behind?” A project by Thai artist, Nino Sarabutra, features over 100,000 miniature porcelain skulls installed as gallery floor for guests to walk on. Tread lightly!  

flocking it

One segment of a four piece drawing. Tar, acrylic, thread, pencil, flocking on paper. Part of a group show – “RAW DRAWING” On view until Nov 3rd, 2013 @ The Drawing Rooms in Jersey City. DRAWERS Eileen Ferara, Elizabeth Onorato, Ibou Ndoye, Steve Singer, Margaret Weber, Sandra Desando, Maggie Ens, Mike Markman, Kim Wiseman, GregContinue reading “flocking it”

new monotypes

These are from a new series of monotypes I’m working on. I took a two day workshop with Don Nicoulin and was moved by the immediacy of the process.  These pieces are quite different than most of my other print work. I’m experimenting with color, mark-making, and composition. It’s raw. It’s freeing. It’s like learningContinue reading “new monotypes”

mnemonic vistas

As I was skimming Art Press Magazine, I was instantly captivated by the works of Eva Neilsen, a Paris-based artist, combining silkscreen and painting. Neilsen constructs layered images which invoke memories, play on the passage of time and existence. Desolate expanses disclose transient residues of human activity. Subtle washes of color create a shadowy senseContinue reading “mnemonic vistas”

elles / ils

It goes something like this: Sharon Arnold curates an all women show called Elles, exploring the female perspective in art- It was a big success. She then curates a second show, inviting only men to exhibit, called Ils Disent (masculine form meaning “they say”) – welcoming the male view of women in art. Artist, BenContinue reading “elles / ils”

contemporary excavations

Calm before tomorrow’s storm. Caught a glimpse of Mark Bradford’s work at Sikkema Jenkins & Co. in Chelsea. Large scale mixed-media paintings – using a very interesting layering technique and subtractive method. A very physical approach to image-making, with collage elements, stencils, cuts, gouging, and what appears to be sanding of the surface to exposeContinue reading “contemporary excavations”

raw pull

A mixed media monoprint workshop with Catherine Bebout nudged me to operate outside of my comfort zone. I’m so inspired by the richness and depth in her work, particularly the “Mapping the Body Series.”  After a 4 day workshop,  experimenting with color and layering using large collograph plates, stencils and polystyrene, I pulled this. And forContinue reading “raw pull”

elevate / emanate

As I did laundry tonight, one of my neighbors sang. He had to share with me his story about singing in church and how powerful it was today, and how moved he was. And so, I imagine myself here, at the Church of Saint Riquier in Northern France, listening to his song, and gazing up atContinue reading “elevate / emanate”

“necessary city”

Went down to New Orleans to attend the SGC International Print Conference. What a tremendous turnout! Extraordinary works on display and an assortment of visionary artists to engage with; all with contagious energy for print! The city of New Orleans itself, is a wonder, dotted with colorful characters, and together, they propel a magical sceneContinue reading ““necessary city””

ash

On the daily commute, I saw lots of people with ash crosses on their foreheads for Ash Wednesday. It got me thinking about James Castle, a deaf, illiterate, self-taught artist who barely ever left his home. His communication skills were limited and few in his family could understand him. His assemblages, drawings and book piecesContinue reading “ash”

bon dia

Inspired by the patterns and colors of wandering around Morocco and Spain, I created a portfolio of 10 stenciled monotype prints. I was awarded an artist residency at Can Serrat, on the outskirts of Barcelona, Spain, where this collection of work was created. I highly recommend this location for international artists of many disciplines toContinue reading “bon dia”

busy weekend!

Fri, Sat and Sun have been jam packed with amazing arts events! This weekend is Jersey City Artists Studio Tours. Selections from the 2010 GRAF X-change are on exhibit at the Grassroots Community Space. A visit to the NY Art Book Fair @ MOMA PS1 was intoxicating and stimulating. An impressive collection of books andContinue reading “busy weekend!”

basket sculpture #1

My time at WSW was incredibly productive and restorative. The community of artists, instructors, staff and interns were all insightful and warm. Amazing things go on at WSW! I was honored to have Kirstin Demer, a handpapermaker and bookbinder, as my instructor. I learned how to make paper from abaca, flax and thai kozo. ExploringContinue reading “basket sculpture #1”

escape

This week I am preparing for my escape into the woods. I was awarded a class scholarship at Women’s Studio Workshop in upstate NY.  So I will spend a week living in a tent and biking back and forth to my Sculptural Papermaking class!! Should be a good time unless I get eaten by wildContinue reading “escape”