Monoprints - wrapped up

Getting into the rythm of printmaking  - a quick exercise is to get out the student acrylics and the gel or glass plate and play on a roll of brown paper. Several metres later and there are heaps of ideas popping around  - crumple and recrumple to change the structure of the paper, fuse to a felt background and stitch, cut out pieces at random and applique or fuse to other pieces, cut into strips then weave before fusing to another background and stitch. Overprint. If you dont like a section - overprint with another design. If nothing else, unique wrapping paper for 2016.

Meaning and context on paper

Brown paper bag - it's common and everyday and possibly overlooked once the objects it carries have been consumed.  So instead of heading into the bin or perhaps a compost site  ... I'm turning this little packet into fabric.
From carrier and protector of mushrooms - breaking down the fibres through scrunching, folding, unfolding and repeat.  It now has a velvety quality when held  .... just like the mushrooms before they too were transformed.   And now for the yum part  ...

Take one old shirt ...

Last night the WMBM gave me one of his old shirts - I am serious here about old - as in pre-Goddess days - open weave, mustard colour - and absolutely perfect for converting into something of use. It was like a chemistry lab in that room 'til quite late .. and here's the end result - a new fabric that has layers of wrapping paper, cards and tissue embedded in what was once the back of that shirt - Beryl Taylor's book is full of so many ideas - and when I play I make quite a few "samples" which are then filed and stored for later use ... I haven't thought too much about how this piece will be stitched but I sense the copper thread coming out of retirement.  I also started making a book - the old fashioned way. Maybe a sneak peek tomorrow ..... I do love working with black velvet. Assignment? What assignment?