Paper Voodoo: Transforming Washi with Konnyaku (Blaine, WA)

"Konnyaku" is the powdered root of a perennial plant in Japan known by any of several names, including, voodoo lily, snake palm, elephant yam, and, devil’s tongue. In this workshop we’ll be using konnyaku to strengthen and soften Japanese washi / paper for use as cloth, collage, sculpture and interesting book forms.

PART 1: The workshop will start off with a brief overview of Japanese paper (what makes it different from Western paper and various types of washi) and a lot of examples of items made using washi + konnyaku for inspiration.

PART 2: Learn how to prepare and use Konnyaku to make momigami (kneaded) paper, then create range of paper and textures and patterns set by the starch, and how to use konnyaku as sizing for various media, and as an adhesive for collage. During the workshop, participants will create a series of samples for reference and inspiration..

PART 3: Make a simple book with your momigami (or paper supplied). Based on a Hedi Kyle structure, this simple elegant structure employs the unique qualities of momigami crinkled paper. This is a single section sewn into a soft cover with rolled edges.

Location/Venue: Blaine Harbor Center
Original website page: https://tinyurl.com/yabpcenk
Cost/Fee: $85
Material/Studio fee: $?

This organization's calendar:  https://www.washiarts.com/events/

Instructor: Linda Marshall, a creative designer with a background in corporate and non-profit communications, strategy, design and marketing. Her lifelong interest in the design arts comes from a multi-media artist mother and an engineer father, as well as a creative education in interior architecture and brand advertising design. With a strong passion for books and paper, Linda has been an avid admirer of printers, book artists, fine art printmakers, artists and creative thinkers. She now supports these creative artists and enterprises with an exceptional range of premium Japanese papers and related products. Inspired by the long history of papermaking in Japan and a process perfected over hundreds of years, the washi carried here has been carefully made to use in inspired and creative ways.