I remember the moment I did plant paper for the first time. I saw the process of nature rebirthing and can’t believe I may hold this miracle in my hands. Something strongly separated in the water became a solid mass in the air. At the same time this “something” came from the ground, already dead but still has such a big potential!
To realise it, to see it, to be a silent witness of this process is the biggest blessing. I may compare it with giving birth but here you feel that you were chosen to save the moment of meditation and truly life.
Paper is the way to stop time. Or the way to fix and note this time. Or the way to start it. Doesn’t matter what you may see here. From the moment you may understand it you have a chance to feel it. And the paper has a chance to become alive, to become art. Here I will meet you.
Welcome to the artisan plant paper world. Enjoy your stray!
I work exclusively with plant fibres like straw, hay, and bananas. They are durable enough to create aesthetically pleasing structures and are easy to work with. I enjoy experimenting with fibres to create natural clay, and I also like to try using different skins to make parchments and fabric-like materials.
Plant-based artisan paper has a few main functions, namely: it is printable and foldable. You can use it for writing, drawing, colouring, making beautiful postcards, envelopes, business cards, and books or even packing something.
During the technological process, we can control its weight, size, form, colour, and structure, and add additional elements such as seeds or flower petals. As part of the post-production stage, we can add ageing, images, engravings, and sizing for water-based and oil-based paints.
As an artistic material, plant paper is ideal for soft pastel and laser printing. However, due to its fibre and ruffle structure, it is not very suitable for linocut prints. By adding sizing mediums, you can paint on it. Each sheet is made individually, resulting in stunning edges, which makes it suitable for scrapbooking projects or as a decorative element.
“What is next?”
As a member of the International Organization of Papermakers, I have come to know many artists who use paper pulp to "draw". Although I also enjoy this technique, I find myself more interested in finding new functions, senses, and presentations for pre-existing sheets of paper. I often wonder about their potential uses.
At the same time, I am passionate about books and sculpture, and I find that artisan paper is the perfect material for creating artistic books and exploring new ways of storytelling. After all, books are like time capsules, aren't they?
My knowledge of paper extends beyond just using it as a piece of art; I am also familiar with the production process. As a result, I feel a sense of responsibility and curiosity to find new ways of using plant fibre as a part of everyday life. My personal goal and ambition is to create plant-based eco-fabric for a sustainable world. Plant paper is easily compostable, contains no artificial glues or sizing agents, and can easily become a part of nature's life cycle without harming the environment. All production is based on local resources.
