Introductory session of print making using sustainable eco materials. 

As a part of the Angus Festival of Making this May, Deirdre Bennett ran two free sustainable print workshops. These workshops were designed to demonstrate how general household waste materials can be used to create beautiful artworks without damaging the environment. Tetra-pak cartons are recyclable plastic and aluminium-coated cardboard cartons used to hold milk or juice. The paper that was printed on was handmade from reconstituted household wastepaper. The finished pieces were exhibited in the 128 Telephone Box Gallery from May to July 2023.

The creatures featured in the artworks are Scottish – they also endangered due to climate change and poor farming practices.

Creatives:

• Julie Bell
• Sinéad Drysdale
• Karen Johnston
• Christine Kydd
• MJ Prior
• Fiona Scharlau
• Susan Scott
• Michelle Spink
• Amandla Taylor
• Kirsten Thomson

Below are images from the workshops and the final exhibition.

Preparation (Papermaking)

The paper has been made from shredded old newspapers, magazines, leaflets, and marketing flyers that have come in the door. Basically any clean household waste paper. It is first torn up into small pieces (even better if you have a shredder), then soaked overnight in cold water. I add plenty of cold water and then mulch using an old blender. The longer you blend, the finer the paper will be. I quite like seeing the bits in the paper. Strain the mulsh, then add as you need to fresh cold water in a large container. Using a deckle, you then sift to a weight that you are happy with – it takes a bit of practice. Remove excess water, then lay deckle on your clean fabric (I use fabric from old pillow cases). Sponge down to remove excess water then remove deckle carefully. Hang the fabric or lay it somewhere warm to dry. Once the paper is dry it will peel off the fabric. You can then press for a week in a press or under some very heavy books to smooth out the paper. The ones in the images below have not been pressed yet. Muffin the dog was on hand to help.

Here is a very good video on the papermaking process.