Handmade Paper and Collage

  "After years of working on paper with many different kinds of media, I feel it was a natural progression to want to explore the aspects of freshly formed paper as a medium in itself. In a paper-making class, I learned about the huge selection of fibers and colors that can be added to wet pulp. The more I worked with it the more I found paper to be a very giving medium. It can be cast, molded, woven, embossed and laminated. I use it often in collages, assemblages, and 3-D pieces. Most successful has been the Kachinas, created authentically from studying the Hopi Indian Tribe. I made the mold, and designed them after the different tribal dress of the Kachina's ceremonial dress for their Three Mesa Festivals each year. From this study, I learned much about our Native American art."

Nel Markle

Talavia-Early Morning Singer
Hopi Kachina
cast handmade paper & acrylic
23x19x5"

Angwusnasomtaqa,
Mother of All Kachinas
Hopi--cast hand made
paper & acrylic  23x19x5"

Honan Badger-Hopi Kachina
cast handmade paper & acrylic
20x15x5"

Alternative Treaty
handmade paper collage
24x30"

Possible Co-Existence
handmade paper collage
29x37"

Blue Bayeta
handmade paper collage 26x20"

Gray Stone Mesa
handmade paper collage
30x24"

Passages
handmade paper collage
32x24"

Mixed Emotions
mixed media collage 30x24"

Fantasia
molded handmade paper 30x43x5"

Freedom Facade
molded handmade paper construction 30x24x5"

Freedom Facade
detail