Peeled paper technique

I have a couple of young friends whose mother passed away from brain cancer a few years ago. I didn't know her as well as I know her sons, because I've traveled and worked with them on youth group trips for years. Knowing what fine young men she raised, I feel that she was an exceptional woman, one of the many whose legacy will live on through her children.

Her youngest son, Nick, founded a non-profit organization in his mother's memory, the mission of which is to help fund the basic needs of children in developing countries. He calls it Cling.

That story reminded me of one of my favorite psalms, which has a line about clinging to God. I've used that verse in this mixed media piece, and I'll share the peeled paper technique with you that I used to make this.

You've got to select very heavy paper for this technique: extra-heavy watercolor paper or hand made papers are generally best. If the paper is heavy enough, you can create multiple peeled layers in each spot. With the 300 lb watercolor paper I chose, only one peeled layer was possible without risking breaking through the backing.

Materials and Tools

Heavy watercolor paper
Silicone-based spray wax
Acrylic paints
Mulberry paper
Verse or poem
Polymer medium or white glue
Plastic straws
Assorted yarns
Heavy card stock, black

X-acto knife
Paint brushes or sponges
Scissors
Tapestry needle

1. Wet the watercolor paper thoroughly. Use the tip of an X-acto knife to gently lift layers of the paper, peeling them back with your fingers.

2. Spray the curled layers with silicone-based spray wax and manipulate them into place. Let them dry.



3. Sponge or brush on acrylic paints, and let it dry again.



4. Tear a piece of mulberry paper and a verse or poem to size, and adhere them in place with polymer medium.



5. Create some paper beads, rolling mulberry paper around plastic straws, adhering them with polymer medium. Cut the beads apart when dry. Wet the ends of the paper and fray to cover the straw cores.



6. Thread a couple of fibers onto a large tapestry needle and string on the paper beads.



7. Knot and fray the bottom ends of the fibers, and use the needle to thread them through the watercolor paper. Knot in the back.

Cling

8. Tear your watercolor paper to the shape you desire, and mount it on black card stock.

Psalm 63: 6-8
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

Copyright 2009 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

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