Print Paste

Cornstarch Paste (courtesy of Collage Source Book. Karen McCarthy)

Dissolve 1 cup into 1 cup of room temperature water.
Heat slowly.
Gradually add 3 cups more water, stir over heat until boils.
Stir 2/3 minutes until it is thick and forms a gel.
Let it cool completely.
Remove 1 cup and place in blender.
Add 1 cup of water and blend until smooth. This makes a thin paste.
Adjust the quantities proportionally as required. Add less water
for a thinner paste.
Strain.
Add paint or pigment.
Will keep in the fridge, but be aware that after a while it will
start to smell!
On thicker paper, such as rag paper or watercolour paper, use
Combs, end of paint brush etc. to make marks.
You can add shading with fabric paint, pencils etc..

Tribal Messages

I have decided to call my piece ,in the form of an artist’s book, Tribal Messages. It will juxtapose contemporary signs and symbols with traditional Adinkra symbols from Ghana.

I have been working on the cover which I wanted to look like an ancient relic, and with a bit of paint and use of the hot air gun a piece of chamois leather now gets somewhere near to the effect I wanted. I had the Deka paint as a free gift from Fibercrafts, I think not many people wanted muddy brown, but it came in very useful .It looks like Elephant skin to me.

The inside of the cover brings together various Adinkra and contemporary saying. I sprayed material with 505 spray and put it onto card which then went through the computer fairly easily. I used scrim and pieces of silk carrier rods dyed with tea to get the ethnic look I wanted.

Papers

I have been playing with colouring papers today; trying to work on some ideas for a workshop. I used a variety of paper, including brown paper and greaseproof. The thick watercolour was the most successful and the greaseproof had a nice feel.
I will probably stitch into the handmade paper which feels just like material.
It’s a while since I did this and I think there will be a few more stages before they are finished.

Thank you for the kind comments about the felt bag; it was particularly nice to get a comment all the way from Italy.