Don Widmer Paper Arts

pulp painting on handmade paper, artist books, and letterpress printing by Chicago-based artist Don Widmer

[donwidmerpaperarts]

These cuties were made 2 weekends ago at Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival @kanelandarts . These pulp paintings (made from flax and sisal) are titled “The Honest Truth” and “Little White Lie.” In Cherokee folklore, the chickadee's song was the one to be trusted and the one who delivered an honest message. In contrast, the titmouse was known as "the bird that lies." To tell the difference between the calls of the two birds was to be able to discern truth from lies. #donwidmerpaperarts #handmadepaper #pulppainting #birdart #folklore #cherokeestories https://www.instagram.com/p/CreBs6UJh7V/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

Rounding and Backing. This is my next step in the bookbinding process. First I glue up the spine and let it dry slightly. Then I begin rounding the spine gently, with my fingers, manipulating the spine into a convex shape. The purpose is to create a seamless form, allowing the book to flow smoothly from the front cover, to the spine, then to the back cover. Running one’s finger along the outside covers and spine of a well-formed book should be a smooth journey and encounter no bumps or impediments along the way! The final stage here is backing. I place the book in a finishing press and hammer the spine into its final rounded form, then let it dry under weight. #donwidmerpaperarts #bookbinding #finebinding #roundingandbacking #bookarts https://www.instagram.com/p/CrL8H4prH1G/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

I’ll be demonstrating my pulp painting technique (a rare opportunity to see this in action) at this one day event. View student and professional artist work while supporting the arts in education @kanelandarts . Sunday April 16 11am-5pm at Kaneland High School in Maple Park. #donwidmerpaperarts #artsineducation #highschoolart #supportarts #pulppainting #handmadepaper #artfairs (at Kaneland High School) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq57xckrP77/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

Sewing is one of my favorite parts of bookbinding. First I punch sewing holes in each folded section (called signatures). For this particular sewn structure one consideration is size of linen thread. The thread adds bulk to the spine and, although I do want a little bulk since this structure will have a round spine, I want to use as thin a thread as possible. The thread is waxed and I sew onto flat linen tapes using a sewing frame, keeping everything even and square. #donwidmerpaperarts #bookbinding #finebinding #handmadebooks #paperarts https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqn6bUZJZGf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

All set up at Art in the Castle at Castle Farms in Charlevoix. Find me in booth 54. #donwidmerpaperarts #pulppainting #handmadepaper #artfairs #castlefarms #artinthecastle (at Castle Farms) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqf6d6zLKYq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

Join me this weekend at Castle Farms in Charlevoix MI for “Art in the Castle,” a juried fine art market. Hours are 11-5 both days. Use the complimentary pass (otherwise admission is $5). Wine tastings are available! #donwidmerpaperarts #handmadepaper #pulppainting #artfairs #shoplocal #buyhandmade (at Castle Farms, Charlevoix Mi) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqV6Gcjpt3w/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

Edge decoration is the next step in my book binding project. This step is extraneous, but I decided to do it because the page edges of my book had become discolored with grime after nearly a century. Edge decoration can be very fancy, with gold gilding or even painted scenery. My treatment is simple: a watercolor wash finished with a layer of beeswax. First the book needs to be clamped, edges dampened with a sponge, and then scraped (with a cabinet scraper) and sanded. The green edges of my book now correspond with the marbled endsheets and the child’s clothing from the original cover image. #donwidmerpaperarts #bookbinding #finebinding #edgedecoration #bookarts #bookconservation https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpx7GsrvaUa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

Edge decoration is the next step in my book binding project. This step is extraneous, but I decided to do it because the page edges of my book had become discolored with grime after nearly a century. Edge decoration can be very fancy, with gold gilding or even painted scenery. My treatment is simple: a watercolor wash finished with a layer of beeswax. First the book needs to be clamped, edges dampened with a sponge, and then scraped (with a cabinet scraper) and sanded. The green edges of my book now correspond with the marbled endsheets and the child’s clothing from the original cover image. #donwidmerpaperarts #bookbinding #finebinding #edgedecoration #bookarts #bookconservation https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpx6oMXv49J/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

I’m excited to have my tunnel book Fanny and the Doll Corpse, inspired by Glessner House and Frances Glessner Lee, included in this exhibit. “Pop-Up Books Through the Ages” explores the history of books with tactile and interactive components. This exhibit will be up until July 15 and is free and open to all. There are also docent led tours. Visit the @newberrylibrary website for details. #artistbooks #donwidmerpaperarts #tunnelbook #popupbook #newberrylibrary #francesglessnerlee #glessnerhouse (at The Newberry Library) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpf9lVrPYqL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

The endsheets are those pages at the front and back of a book, often decorative or blank sheets. They serve a structural purpose, constructed in a way to attach the book cover to the text. They also serve an aesthetic purpose, guiding the reader from the outside to the inside of a book. Considerations are the weight/feel of the paper, its color and texture and how it relates to pages within the book. For this book I chose a marbled paper by @leahzhangke and a handmade cotton paper for the blank sheets that have a similar thickness to the book’s original papers. I fold the endsheets and glue them together at the spine using strips of linen and tissue. Now they’re ready to sew onto the text block. Stay tuned! #donwidmerpaperarts #bookbinding #endsheets #paperarts #finebinding https://www.instagram.com/p/CpN4nLmLEhx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

Here’s documentation of the first steps in rebinding an old book. After removing the original cover and spine, I “guard” all of the folded sections (called signatures) with strips of Japanese tissue, in preparation for sewing. #donwidmerpaperarts #bookbinding #bookconservation #bookarts https://www.instagram.com/p/Co75DwuPqO2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

Through the end of February I’m offering 15% off all framed art, pulp paintings and letterpress (link in profile). Here’s a sampling: 1) Plaza DeWitt and John Hancock Center; 2) Robie House; 3) Moths of the Midwest. Use code FEB15 at checkout. #donwidmerpaperarts #pulppainting #handmadepaper #letterpress #framedart https://www.instagram.com/p/Cop4FRwPIBq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

I’m excited to return to @fortheloveofartfair in South Bend (Century Center) on March 4-5. Join me and around 50 other artists to see what we’ve been creating for you! Admission: $10, 12 and under free. #donwidmerpaperarts #handmadepaper #pulppainting #fortheloveofartfair #southbendcenturycenter #visitsouthbend #artfair #downtownsouthbend #artevents (at Century Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoX0vXPvuwQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

I enjoyed my conversation with Larry and Ester for @artontheairnwi . They asked some great questions (I hadn’t thought about the art I did in elementary school for decades). Check it out at https://www.npr.org/podcasts/810025328/art-on-the-air #donwidmerpaperarts #pulppainting #handmadepaper #artontheair #lakeshorepublicradio #artistinterview #fortheloveofartfair https://www.instagram.com/p/CoF2woPPh1g/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

“Erben Pipes no. 1” was created in 2016 at @morganpaper in Cleveland. It’s part of my organ pipes series and named after the 19th century organ builder Henry Erben. This is a cotton pulp painting on an abaca base sheet, recently framed and protected behind museum glass, 43 x 31 inches. #donwidmerpaperarts #pulppainting #pipeorgan #henryerbenpipeorgan #framedart #musicalinstrumentart https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnz0aT5vwK-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

My latest blog post explores the influence of Indonesian music and culture on my art practice. You can read it here: dwidmer.com/blog (link in profile). Come hear me perform with Friends of the Gamelan at DePaul University on Jan. 28. This week my flag book inspired by Bali (“The Offering”) is 25% off the listed price on Etsy with code OFFERING. #donwidmerpaperarts #pulppainting #handmadepaper #gamelan #chicagogamelan #indonesianmusic #friendsofthegamelan https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnh03W4Pq-6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[donwidmerpaperarts]

The Chicago Skyscraper series is a mix and match where you can pick your favorite buildings to create your own custom skyline. Background colors can be coordinated and customized too. These are pulp paintings on handmade paper, each one individually created. Size: 24 x 10.25 inches, each. #donwidmerpaperarts #handmadepaper #pulppainting #customart #chicagoarchitecture #chicagoskyline #chicagoartist https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm9xMhxvHfq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=