Always a pleasure to spend creative time in fresh air. This invitation came via one of the board members from the film festival. Since my sister is my all-around partner in crime, of course, she came with me.
The Creative Invitation
Although the weather wasn’t cold, I knew that my hands wouldn’t be submerged in water. My sister, however, squealed like a little kid at the opportunity to make her own organic paper that would eventually sprout flowers. At one point, I asked her to calm down because she was acting like someone who didn’t get out of the house much.
Paper Pulp
The organizer showed us the pulp, which I can only remember contained leaves, water, and other organic “stuff.”
Artist Organizer and My Sister
I’d seen recycled paper fodder before, but this was the first time I’d seen recycled paper made into a vehicle for a seed delivery system.
Artist Power Tools
Although my sister was the only paper-making participant during that time slot, she got the full explanation of the process due to her sheer enthusiasm and the fact that she was an art teacher. Like any good teacher, my sister’s mind went into overdrive, already seeing how she could use the experience in her classroom.
Okra Slime
One step, pouring okra slime into the mix, provided me with the only good use for that substance. Unlike the other ingredients, which were added together in the bucket and emulsified with a power tool. Instead, that slime was poured directly into the bin.
Traditional Artist Tools
My sister immersed her hands into that mixture to combine all the ingredients thoroughly, working out all the lumps.
Massaging Paper Pulp
Then, she used a screen to capture a sample of the mixture.
Introducing the Screen
Once she coated the screen with an even layer, she removed it from the water and set it on top of the bin.
Draining Excess Water
Raising the screen frame, she examined the wet paper mixture to make sure that it was all together in one piece.
Preparing Extraction
Gently, she placed the wet paper onto the muslin cloth.
Pressing into Cloth
After pressing the back of the screen to the fabric, she transferred the wet paper to the cloth.
Smoothing It Out
At that point, the wet paper transformed into portable composting soil.
Adding Seeds
Next, she spread seeds around.
Pressing into Place
With the seeds pressed into the paper soil, the product needed to dry .
Preparing to Hang
She gently peeled the muslin off the table to hang the cloth up to dry.
Hanging out to Dry
She chose one of the sunniest spots to hang the seeded soil.
Soaking up Sun
Although the drying process takes several days, the paper soil dried enough in a few hours to be peeled away from the cloth.
Resting on the Floor
The organizer showed us what my sister’s soil paper would eventually turn into:
Finished Products