Washi in its various brilliant iterations is easily my favourite paper to work with. I do have specific uses for agave, banana, corn and cotton rag papers, however, none of them have the combined flexibility, strength, and variable weight, that Washi can offer for layering, reworking and colour absorption. My inspirations often come from antique textiles. I crave being to create subtle patinations with contrasting background textures. I have been experimenting with using various kinds of Washi with washes of beeswax and I love the translucency produced. I also collect what I call “soul-snips” which are saved special bits of my prints ; these opaque screen printed papers offer contrast to the waxed Washi and evoke old vegetal colours and patinas.
