I recently attended a course with Jane Ponsford and learnt the basics of hand made paper making.  We used cotton rag and in some cases, I combined this with found clay to add colour.

Khaki cotton rag

Deckle, mould and paper

Grinding the found clay

I wanted to combine the hand made paper with some of my found objects and went with some ideas in mind as to how this might work.

Rust dyed made paper on charred wood

Paper dyed with oak gall ink with found staples and fishing net

Paper with found wire

Paper dyed with oak gall ink and combined with weaving

A row of hand made paper on found wood

Hand made paper combined with found metal and wire

Having kitted myself out with the appropriate gear, I am looking forward to experimenting more with the combination of made and found to produce a series of work.  The images above are all starting points rather than finished works but I have thoroughly enjoyed learning this new process.  Another course beckons in the Autumn looking at sculpting, folding and moulding with paper – can’t wait!