Spring 2024
My journey with papermaking began with a vision. I was in my third year recovering from debilitating illness and consuming more fruit, vegetables, and spring water than I had my entire life. As my health grew, so did a vision of artworks made of something I had never felt before - a plasticky, papery, plant substance.
The plant I originally intended to make paper with had been soaking for weeks when it dawned on me I could probably make paper from my morning celery juice pulp; it was around my 900th pint of juice! I learned papermaking through books and videos, then spent about two months full-time perfecting my celery papers.
Celery fibre creates a translucent, crystalline paper that, when pigment is added, loses its rattle becoming tender as skin. View a sheet of paper in action here. The first year's celery paintings were a delve into Ireland's ancient illuminated manuscripts, loosening celtic knotwork into natural forms. Then the more alive forms took over and I completed the series above 'Finding Life'; an explosion of joy at feeling well; celebration of the regenerative life-force in celery and me.
These were my final paintings with conventional watercolours. From here I began mixing my own lightfast paints with truly non-toxic pigments, honey, and gum arabic.
Above is a selection of watercolours on 100% celery fibre paper. Paintings are either 20x20cm or 20x28cm and have the deckle edges of handmade paper. Both paper and paint are archival, meaning they can last for hundreds of years if kept dry. Paintings are for sale unframed at €100, plus p&p. To enquire please email me at: aoifefia@outlook.ie