"Each collage is one-of-a-kind and unique in form," says Mircea Veleanu, a retired physician who learned about the art of papermaking during trips to Thailand, Nepal and Vietnam. Recently interviewed at his home in Somers, N.Y., Veleanu proudly displayed his source of floral materials--a garden adorned with brightly colored purple, red and lavender petunias, scarlet vinca, impatiens in fuscias, pinks and reds and a profusion of other blossoms in yellows, whites and purples.
Papermaking and Fresh Flower Collages are a Two-Fold Process
The art is a two-fold process, explains Veleanu, noting that he first makes the paper using shreds of glossy magazine pages combined with shavings of mulberry bark, dryer lint, onion and garlic skins plus water. The materials are soaked in the water, then blended three times for 45 seconds each in a food processor. The resulting fine pulp is added to a large bucket filled with water to a two- to three-inch depth. "It forms a cream-like consistency like buttermilk," he says.
He then dunks a wooden-framed sieve (specific to paper making) into the container, lifting it straight up to ensure the paper's uniform thickness. "The pulp-like substance is now on top of the sieve, and the water drains out while I hold the sieve over the container." Veleanu also improvises by making sieves out of splatter-proof shields, the type used on top of fry pans or pots to prevent splatters.
Once the paper pulp is in place on the frame, the second part of this craft is embedding fresh flowers into the pulp to form a collage. "Attaching the flowers with light pressure onto the pulp, I form different designs using various floral colors, sizes, shapes and leaves."
Fresh Flowers are a Must in this Art
Flowers must be picked just before they are used to retain freshness and their bright color, he says. If the flowers are not fresh or if pressed flowers are used, the colors are not as bright.
The frames are then placed vertically in the sun so the pulp will dry, which takes about 8 hours. Their vertical position allows excess water to drain out. Veleanu then separates the paper from the framed sieve.
Each collage is then framed in an inexpensive plastic or glass frame to protect it from the elements and handling. He buys the frames at craft and hobby shops
Paper Acts as Preservative in Maintaining Flower Shape
"I try to use mostly very thin and flat, nearly translucent flowers and petals because thick flowers with multiple petals have the tendency to shrivel, wilt and eventually come off the paper. Also, their colors change when the flowers are too thick. The paper acts as a preservative in maintaining the shape of the flower."
From start to finish (not including drying time), it takes about two to three hours to create the paper and collages, he says. Most of the time is spent in designing the collage rather than making the paper. The handmade papers come in various thicknesses and may be used in a variety of ways ranging from bookcovers to wall decorations.
"Usually in handmade paper, you see flowers and petals covered with the paper substance, but not on top of the paper. For this reason, I call them 'floral collages' because the flowers are attached naturally to the paper without being glued on or secured by artificial means."
Veleanu is also incorporating painting onto the handmade paper, imitating natural flowers through the technique called trompe l'oeil. "At first glance, it's hard to distinguish whether the flowers are natural or painted. To make it even more interesting, I am also painting insects climbing on the flowers, imitating the medieval Flemish Old Master method of oil painting."
As for marketing these items, Veleanu plans to present them at small art shows and through Web sites where they will be offered as art objects. He also hopes to write a book about papermaking and develop a workshop for individuals interested in learning this type of art.
Nadia Lerner - I worked as a staff writer in the Features Department of The Advocate, a daily (Tribune-owned) newspaper in Stamford, CT from 1990 until ...
