Next, on my tour of artists in Austin was handmade paper maker Yamandu Ploskonka. Yama makes paper under the distinct imprint Papel Texano. He is everything related to paper, but, in addition, a trainer, a fixer, a communicator, an inventor, and an innovator. He loves materials, arts, crafts, creative ideas, design, electronics, mechanics, people, prototypes, and tools.
In late 2017, Yama made a breakthrough regarding an ideal charcoal, pastel paper surface and achieved the Cinque Tooth Paper, Papel Texano’s specialty “finish.” A new/old paper; new because it’s being presently produced and old since it is a reinvention of the textured renaissance papers that the masters drew upon.
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. Yama demonstrating the pulp used for his handmade paper.
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. Yama demonstrating home made pulp beater used for his handmade paper.
These deep grooves of Cinquecento paper are ideal for charcoal, chalk and sanguine artists. Typically made by hand with 21st century methods in Austin, this very classic surface on handmade paper is again available to artists and everyone!
Why so much tooth in Renaissance papers?
Would you like to appreciate the history of paper?
Why so much fuss?
How to make paper pulp with a garbage disposal?
Have you ever asked yourself any of these specific questions, the answers are here at Papel Texano.
Visiting with Yama was a valuable experience! I had a delightful afternoon and evening. We talked candidly about paper and more paper. Yama’s humour is to savour as he endeavours to share his knowledge. We were shown around his outside studio with lots of homemade equipment which was fascinating. I naturally enjoyed the elaborate description and the key reasons behind his first artists' book entitled Touch This Art! The Book as Yama explained the intricate details.
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. Yama’s CNC router at work.
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. The finished styrofoam mold.
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. The result from the mold to create Touch this Art!
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. Another cast paper print using the CNC router. Gorgeous to the touch!
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. The bookbinding design of Touch This Art! The Book is an accordion structure that reminds us of Aztec and Mayan codices. The 100% cotton, handmade cast paper pages in light pink/red hue is from iron oxide. The pages are mounted on a lengthy piece of amate (a type of bark paper) paper.
Yama also explained the machine that made Touch This Art! The Book, a CNC router — Computer Numerical Control machine — a computer-operated carving tool.
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. Yama joking as he prepares a lovely meal for us.
After much conversation about his studio, paper, and art, Yama made my husband and I a great pasta meal before we left. Yama was amazingly generous with his information and practice. Yama even took the time to gave me the excitement of making handmade paper, elbow deep in pulp. Before leaving, I purchased several sheets of paper to reproduce an image on my Epson Archival Ink Jet printer. I may have found a papermaker for the end sheets of my upcoming book on Live Oak (Quercus Virginiana).
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. My first try at stirring pulp with Yama’s help.
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. Yama showing me how to drip the water from the mold.
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. Seeing the results.
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. Yama’s vat with signatures of visiting artists to his studio. Recognize some of them?
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. Yama laughing!
© 2018 Louise Levergneux. Adding my signature to the famous vat.
If you ever find yourself in Austin, a stop at Papel Texano is a must!