The fluff of the poplar trees is starting to fly like snow. So on Saturday evening, I went for a walk in the ravine to see if it could be collected yet. There was one section up on the hillside above the path that was covered in 1 – 4 inches of poplar fluff seeds. Beautiful. Peaceful.

Now you might wonder why I am collecting it. You see, one of my favorite papers (see the image of poplar/ red denim paper on the left) to create has poplar in it. Therefore, every year I watch for the opening of the poplar seed pods. Some years it falls in thick banks of fluffy “snow” that I can scoop up the top layer and avoid the dirt and debris below it – like this year. Some years the window of time between rain storms doesn’t allow the fluff to fly much. Sometimes we get a heavy frost and the pods fall to the ground before opening. On those years I have collected the unopened pods and hope they open up in a paper sack, which sometimes works.

It has been so dry this year I was wondering if the pods had enough moisture to grow. Some did, some shriveled up on the branches. Collecting the fluffy "snow" has its own challenges. I had to remember how I had done it before. The first handful is fine. The second handful goes in and the previous handful wants to fly free of the bag again. So if you were watching me, you would have seen as much fly out of the bag as I managed to put in, until I remembered to start squeezing the fluff together in my hands, giving it more substance and weight. The fluff itself has some oils in it, which I could feel as I squeezed it together.

This is all a part of the process of creating for me. I love the walks in the woods to find the fluff with which I make paper. It is peaceful. There are certain times of year I collect each one and a part of me is watching and waiting for it. I watch and observe the signs. This is the season for the fluff and I would have missed it if I was going by the calendar. It is usually not out until June.

Over the summer, I take note of where the fireweed is blooming, so that I can collect it late August or September when the seed pods are beginning to open. Likewise, I know where the long thistles and the short thistles grow, where to collect some cattails, and "Old Man`s Beard."

I am always on the lookout for other "fluffy" plants when I am out walking. When I see one, a curiosity rises in me to wonder what kind of paper it would make. And I think of the possibilities of what I could paint on that  paper. I also think of a painting idea and go gather what I need to create the paper I want to work on. (I did that for this painting, Out of the Believer's Heart - I had to make a lot of onion skin paper for the dry land portion.)

When I was a young mom, I came across, or was given, a devotional book with a title something like "The Raspberry Kingdom." The author used the arduous task of picking wild raspberries as a metaphor for her own walk and relationship with God. I resonated with her. It gave me words for what I felt when I would go collect the wild logan berries (blackberries) along the trails in Eugene Oregon or the fruit in the wild, old orchard on Beacon hill in Spokane. And I think about it now as I collect various seeds for papermaking.

It is an arduous task, sometimes full of thorns and uneven ground. It takes energy and time, but the reward is great. Is it worth the reward? For me, it is like working and walking hand in hand with God the Creator. He shows me little metaphors – of the trials and tribulation on a small scale with a reward puts in perspective the larger scale of life. I think about the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, (Matt 6) and God the Father who cares for them, and who also cares for me. I find peace and quiet when I walk the trails. I talk with God about whatever is on my heart, and I listen. It is a place and time - that is about just learning to "be," to live in the moment.

I feel a deep satisfaction, when I make the paper from the gathered seeds; when I try out a new seed paper; And when I take it further and begin to create a painting from the paper I created. It is all a part of the process of making paper. 

I also look forward to sharing the findings with those who come to make paper with me. I think it is interesting and probably speaks to our culture when a student asks where I was able to purchase the fluff I had collected. Have we spent too much time apart from nature and God’s natural kingdom, his creation?

I challenge you to go for a walk in the woods, or natural setting near you this week. Look around. See what treasures you can find in God’s creation and listen for the metaphors God reveals around you. Then tell me about it. I’d like to hear your story.

At Kaleido Arts Festival in September, I taught the papermaking workshop again. This was my eighth year! It is a privelege to be asked to come back every year and a fun festival to be a part of. I actually remembered to take some pictures this year. 

It is all set up so people can come make one piece of paper to take home with them. 

We were set up in the  fellowship hall of St Faith Anglican Church.

Tearing

Here is part of the set up and next is the other part where the group is beginning to tear paper, cut fabric and add natural fluffs (cattail, thistle, fireweed, down feathers, poplar fluff were some of the choices).

In the yogurt container on the left, you can see the small torn bits. of paper and fabric.

 Blending

The next step is to take it to the blender station, where the bits are loudly chopped up and the paper pulp is made.

Creating 

Once the pulp is made, it is taken to the next station where it is poured onto screens.

Lifting 

Last is the process of getting it off the screen so it can be taken home.

Pressing, flicking and rolling.

Look for my next workshop in the late spring or summer.

I teach another workshop on papermaking, an all day workshop. The students in the workshop will make 10-15 unique pieces of paper to take home with them.

I provide all the supplies, as mentioned above as well as pressed leaves and flowers that can be added.

Come and have a fun workshop with me!  

(Check the class list blog for current workshops)

Alternative Process Week – 5 Day Art Retreat w/ 4 Different Instructors         

Monday, August 18th – Friday, August 22th

10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

$495 ($395 + $100 Supply Fee) for Full Week

$105 ($80 + $25 Supply Fee) per Workshop

Class Limit: 15 Students

Summer Week-long Retreat at Artelier!

Looking for a creative getaway not far from home? Why not spend a week at Artelier exploring and experimenting with a diverse range of materials?

This week we’ll be exploring alternative processes such as papermaking, working with fabric dye and UV reactive processes such as Solar Fast. Experiment with indigo and even use some of your paper and materials to make your own book at the end of the week!

Each instructor will cover a different medium and project, however many of these processes are transferable and harness the potential for combining and mixing. Whether you’re looking to expand on your skill set and gain a more comprehensive understanding any of these processes, or try something completely new, Alternative Process Week is the retreat for you!
Discover your new favourite medium!

5 days of artmaking with 4 different instructors! 
Take one class, or sign up for the whole week!

Monday: Join us for a full morning and afternoon of Paper Making with Julie Drew. Make a variety of beautiful and unique papers from natural and recycled fibres.
Tuesday: Next Arlene Westin will walk you through the steps of creating your own Itajime Shibori patterns on paper.
Wednesday: Explore colour and the vibrant world of fabric paints and dyes with Arlene Westen with Alrene Westen. Create images on fabric and paper with Dye-na-flow and Solar Fast!
Thursday: After exploring Dye-na-flow and other synthetic paints and dyes, on Thursday Anna Wildish will guide you through the process of preparing and using some natural dyes on fabric and paper.
Friday: At the end of the week, Callum McKenzie will help you make your own stitch bound book, with materials of your choice. Try using papers that you’ve been working on throughout the week!

About the Instructors: 

Julie Drew waits and listens, letting the details of the world around her speak beauty and wonder. Adding her own distinct expression using watercolor and mixed media to capture the depths and nuances of color, light, and shadow, she creates paintings that proclaim peace, mystery, and wonder.

Her passion for art led to a BFA in Painting and Drawing from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, USA in 1987. Julie has been painting for over 35 years. In 1997, Julie moved with her family to Edmonton, Alberta. Although Julie works predominantly in watercolor, she also uses mixed media with her own handmade paper. Julie teaches watercolor, mixed media, acrylic, oil and papermaking. Her art work has been exhibited around Alberta.

To see more of Julie’s work, check out her website and Instagram:

Website: www.JulieDrew-ArtandFaith.com

Instagram: @shedrewit_artandfaith

Check out more classes with Julie!

Multi-disciplinary artist, Arlene Westen, brings over 30 years of teaching experience to her students. Her proficiencies include mixed-media, collage, surface design, book arts, and printmaking.After graduating from Grant MacEwan University with a Visual Arts Diploma, she earned two further baccalaureate degrees: Fibre Art (Honors) from the Alberta University of the Arts, and a Studio Arts Degree (Honors with Great Distinction) from University of Lethbridge.

To see more of Arlene’s work, check out her Website and Instagram:

Instagram: @arlenewesten

Check out more classes with Arlene!

Anna Wildish is an interdisciplinary artist who works primarily with textiles, and sound.  Since moving to Edmonton from Halifax in 2021, she has been performing at noise and sound events with collaborator Andrew Thorne. Wildish is a sentimentalist and relies on weaving, natural dye, writing and sound to explore her fascination with memory, sense-making, connection, and luck.

Callum McKenzie (he/they) is an Edmonton-based emerging artist and printmaker. They earned their Bachelor of Design in Printmaking from the University of Alberta in 2022 and completed an Emerging Artist in Residence program at SNAP Gallery in 2023. Callum has a penchant for impulsively purchasing paper and figuring out what to do with it later. Their work draws on their experiences as a queer ADHDer and they explore themes of masking, grief and dysphoria through repetitive print and paper-based practices. Callum has shown their work in a number of curated shows and exhibitions including Inner Space in FAB Gallery and How Could I Know If No One Ever Told Me in SNAP Gallery.

To see more of Callum’s work, check out their Instagram:

Instagram: @humdrum_and_callum

Student Supplies:

1. Any extra materials, such as paper or fabric you would like to use during the week
2. Suitable art clothes, hand towel, notebook, snack, drink

You will receive a 20% discount on all art supplies, from your registration until the end of the series!

Artelier is located at 10045 81 Avenue NW, Edmonton (back alley entrance). The workshop space is one block south of The Paint Spot.

Alternative Process Week: 5 Day Art Retreat, Edmonton, Alberta