wasp nests

These are exquisite. Wasps nests are a form of paper made from wood pulp mixed with wasp saliva and layered into a nest. Why do I love them so much? All my favourite materials and forms...paper, wood, pulp, bodily fluids :), layers, nests. And in such a fragile form. How can you not be moved by them!






And the textures and layers and composition in these larger ones are truly abstract works of art.

clotting

Motivated by Red Alert, an upcoming red-themed exhibition in which I am one of the participants, I've been mucking about with plaster bandage and sanguine ink. I started to experiment and ended up creating what I have come to consider as small clots, but they are essentially nests or vessels (of course!). Below are some glimpses of my materials and process. The show opens in a few days and I will post some photographs of my finished piece when it is done. I'm always finished at the eleventh hour...

nests

I am compelled to make nests. Many things I make end up being nests, even if I don't start out with that intention. This morning I gathered up all the nests I have laying around my home. If I looked harder, I'd probably find more.

black and white photograph of a found grass nest

formed copper nest

constructed glass nest

silver nest ring

twig nest found on the ground

nest and egg made from scrap wood and shavings

copper wire nest

polaroid transfer from slide of found nest on a fence post