When my father passed away in 1985, I became the family archivist. In the process of organizing my family photos and documents, I became interested in the relationships of keepsakes and the stories that they told. Since most folks don't want artwork with strangers in it (although making up long lost relatives can be fun!), I do many custom heirloom collages. Because I use pH neutral pulps as the base for my work, any heirlooms embedded into a piece will be protected and will last a lifetime.

pH neutral papers house family heirlooms and photographs for safe keeping. Get those wonderful memories out of the drawer, shoe box, old trunk or the wall where you can enjoy them for years.

One day while separately doing laundry and making paper, I pondered what would happen when you pressed clothing into the wet pulp. I laid it out like a clothes line and then I drove over it with my truck. Well I made the mistake of using my favorite jeans, but when I removed them from the dry pulp it left a very nice impression. Now all I had to do was learn to paint!

I use several old etching presses using a drypoint technique to print an assortment of Fruits, veggies, beverages and shoes on the handmade papers. Look for new Mermaid tails coming soon!

Most of the frames I use are salvaged and painted or built from drawers and odd bits of moulding. I am learning to be a carpenter and believe that the frame is part of the piece. Some of my newest work employs printmaking on the handmade papers this is an exciting new avenue for me!

You can't wear them! Handmade paper is couched onto a real garment them pressed under the wheels of my 1964 International Scout. This dries and compresses the fibers adding the texture to the papers. Then they are embellished with relevant items and painted with acrylics and watercolors.

You could say these papers are "Pulp fiction!"