Penland and Paper

[Gina Pisello]

I have been away from the blog and home for a while, but I am newly inspired thanks to an amazing trip to Penland School of Crafts. I was encouraged to take this trip by two good friends and it was worth every second and every aching muscle. I am back home and more inspired than ever by paper and its possibilities when it comes to folding, cutting and shaping it. A huge thank you to Matt Shlian our teacher and all the wonderful people in the Paper Sculpture class.

Here's a look at some of the things I played with over the two weeks. Enjoy!

-Gina

Experiments with pleat folds that radiate out from the corners.


Finished Class group project. Matt's design.


The gem shapes I cut out for our group project.


Dramatic lighting on the class project.


Preparing to fold a spiral. I wonder how the gold will turn out?


Spiral with gilding.



Another spiral with sewn edge.


A foggy morning before class.


A small bit of 4 sided pleat folding with a twist in the center.



Tomoko Fuse spiral from Mel's book.


Matt's sample radial fold. I am still working out how to do this.

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The Fibonacci spiral using Matt's technique for creating a curve. Translate it to a large sheet and fold the pleats.

Alternating angles create an arch.

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The Books classroom at Penland. We were lucky to be on the ground floor where it was relatively cool most days.

A deer welcomed me on the first evening.​