The art of the book thrives on paper made from plants. At Flight Path Press, each studio workshop revolves around the profile of a specific plant, providing participants an opportunity to transform plants into the visual and printed language of paper and books. Hands-on learning in the visual and literary arts is paired with topics in gardening and horticulture, ethnobotany and ecology.
To discuss a partnership, collaboration, or tailored workshop please contact Chelsea Herman at flightpathpress@gmail.com.
Bookbinding
Spring bookbinding workshops introduce structures that make beautiful journals, sketchbooks, or enclosures for drawings, text, photographs or watercolor paintings. Beginning and experienced bookbinders welcome. Tools and materials included.
​
Reserve a spot by registering here or contact Chelsea Herman:
(831) 588-6661 or flightpathpress@gmail.com
Payment is due six days prior to the start of class.
Drawing
Six-week drawing classes meet once a week and lead participants in exercises that employ all five senses to practice using visual elements such as line, value, shape, volume, space, texture, and color to convey observations. The sprouting and drying, leafing and fruiting, branching and rooted plant world will serve as our muse. Drawing sessions are designed for beginning and experienced artists alike. Materials provided.
​
Reserve a spot by registering here or contact Chelsea Herman:
(831) 588-6661 or flightpathpress@gmail.com
Payment is due six days prior to the start of class.
Papermaking
​Learn how different plants produce paper with different characteristics. Workshop offerings in sheet forming and sculptural techniques provide hands-on experience exploring the expressive potential of cotton, abaca, and hemp. We'll take short breaks to explore history and culture around these plants and look at examples of how historic and contemporary artists have utilized them to express visual ideas. Designed for both experienced and beginning papermakers.
​
Reserve a spot by registering here or contact Chelsea Herman:
(831) 588-6661 or flightpathpress@gmail.com
Payment is due six days prior to the start of class.
Past Offerings
To inquire about collaborations, partnerships, and tailored workshops, contact Chelsea Herman at flightpathpress@gmail.com
Plant, Pulp, Paper: PAPER EDITIONS
This workshop focuses on editioning 11” X 14” sheets of handmade paper using a blend of cotton and hemp pulp and European-style sheet forming technique. Working in pairs or teams of three, we will produce enough paper for each participant to take home a small edition of twenty sheets ideal for bookbinding, letterpress, printmaking or drawing. A slide presentation of historical and contemporary examples hemp and cotton fiber in hand papermaking is included.
Papermaking: FLAX & LINEN
​
Session One
10AM - Noon
Processing flax; sheet forming with flax pulp.
​
Session Two
Noon - 2PM
Sheet forming and sculptural techniques with overbeaten raw flax.
​
Session Three
10AM - Noon
Processing linen rag; sheet forming with rag pulp.
​
Linen rag is made from the flax plant and is found in some of the earliest examples of papermaking. Both raw flax and linen cloth continue to be sought after papermaking materials for the crisp, durable sheets these produce. Papermaking: Flax & Linen workshop sessions will present historical and contemporary examples of making paper from flax and linen whilst transforming both raw flax and second hand linen cloth into quality paper to take home. Workshop sessions complement one another yet may be taken individually.
Papermaking: HEMP
Session One
Session Two
Session 1 focuses on processing hemp half stuff; sheet forming with hemp pulp.
Session 2 focuses on processing raw cut hemp; Sheet forming with raw cut hemp; sculptural techniques.
Hemp fiber yields a strong, even paper. Handmade paper from hemp is excellent for drawing, watercolor, stationary, and book arts. Papermaking: Hemp workshop sessions will present historical and contemporary examples of using hemp fiber here in the Midwest for cordage, textiles, and papermaking. Participants will learn how to prepare hemp for papermaking, practice Western-style sheet forming, and explore creative techniques while making a small edition of paper to take home.
​
Workshop sessions complement one another yet may be taken individually.
Papermaking: COTTON
Session 1 focuses on sheet forming with rag pulp; Incorporating watermarks.
​
Session 2 focuses on sheet forming with rag pulp; Incorporating color.
For centuries, cotton rag paper has been used for drawing, watercolor, stationary, and book arts. Papermaking: Cotton workshop sessions will explore historical and contemporary examples of making paper from rags and byproducts of the textile industry while transforming second hand cotton cloth into high quality paper to take home.
​
Workshop sessions complement one another yet may be taken individually.
Plant, Pulp, Paper: PULP PAINTING
Session 1 focuses on preparing a range of pulps for pulp painting. Participants will learn techniques for incorporating colorful pulps into handmade paper.
​
Session 2 focuses on creating poured sheets and large scale pulp paintings.
Plant, Pulp, Paper: PULP PAINTING introduces methods for preparing a range of colorful pulps using earth pigments, the natural hues of locally sourced plant fibers, recycled paper, and rag pulp. Participants will learn techniques for incorporating colorful pulps into handmade paper as the sheet is being formed and create their own pulp painting to take home.
​
Workshop sessions complement one another yet may be taken individually.
Plant, Pulp, Paper: CATTAIL
Session 1 focuses on collecting and preparing Cattail seed fiber; Sheet forming with Cattail seed fiber pulp
​
Session 2 focuses on collecting and preparing Cattail leaf fiber; Sheet forming with Cattail leaf fiber pulp
Plant, Pulp, Paper: CATTAIL workshop sessions begin outdoors learning about the life cyle of cattail and its many uses! We'll explore a few examples of this plant's significance within cultural and ecological contexts as well as where, when, and how to collect cattail suitable for papermaking. Participants will learn how to process cattail fiber and create a small edition of cattail paper to take home. Workshop sessions complement one another yet may be taken individually.