Sunday, January 15, 2012

Fish bowls

 Salmon bowl


In the process of making gyotaku prints, there are always duds.  Those prints that just don't make the grade, but you're reluctant to throw out 'just in case'.  While I've salvaged a few prints, there are some that I know won't cut it, no matter what I do with them.  Then I had an idea.  Paper fish bowls.

Capelin bowl



Thinking back to grade school and papier mache, but slightly different, I used a gyotaku print for the side that would show inside the vessel, then added layers of japanese papers over it, adhering it with rice paste.  The results aren't perfect, but have potential for further experimentation using different papers.

A plain bowl using unryu and colured art tissue

11 comments:

Lydie said...

Ah ah, excellent idea, I like these re-uses of old papers. The bowl-fish is super !

RH Carpenter said...

Beautiful and how clever to think to do this with your "rejects" that now look great! I like the simplicity and the texture of these.

Pam Johnson Brickell said...

Oh,la,la! You are on to something here!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks Lydie, its fun to play around with ideas.

Rhonda, I figured I'd try to find a way to use up some old paper pieces and voila. Still needs some refinement but it has potential.

Pam, with the Japanese papers, there is lots of room for experimentation with this in many different colourways.

Lisa Le Quelenec said...

These are lush! A really good way to continue evolving the gyotaku project. They would look great in an exhibition next to the prints. You are definately onto a winner, I can't wait to see more.

debwardart said...

Great idea - if you have enough paintings you could create a "school" of these bowls, maybe different sizes, to sell as sets???

suzanneberry said...

i love these! just wonderful!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Yes, that could be novel to have them in an exhibition alongside the prints. Thanks Lisa.

Deb, interesting idea and it would be unique, wouldn't it? You guys are always full of good ideas.

Suzanne, thanks for the kind comments. I want to refine them a bit more and work on the colours (why are we artists always so critical of ourselves?)

Unknown said...

Poor you, I can see you are still without your muse :P

These are lovely and so original.

Deb- love the pun! and it is a lovely idea.

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

I love this ... what a clever idea.

Hedera said...

I'm very fond of (much underrated) papier mache and agree that this is a wonderful idea. I'm sure it will have a positive impact upon your 2D work - a combined exhibition would be stunning! :)