Chicago artist Don Widmer is exhibiting his pulp paintings at the Smith Studio and Gallery during the months of October and November. Mr. Widmer’s book and paper art incorporates papermaking, letterpress printing and artist bookbinding. His papermaking utilizes detailed pulp painting with numerous layers of stenciled paper pulp.

“Pulp Painting” is a process that uses colored plant pulp as a painting medium. Don starts with a pulp made from cotton or linen. Various local plant materials are sometimes included in the paper pulp including daylily, iris and even corn. This material is cooked and beaten into an archival and acid free pulp. Pulp is floated in a tub then captured on a screen so the fibers interlock. Don applies additional layers of paper pulp to his freshly formed sheet of paper. He uses different techniques and tools, including spray bottles, squirt bottles and tweezers. The application of pulp is controlled with hand-cut stencils, while additional pulp is applied with his hands or even by blowing on it. To finish, the wet and formed paper is pressed to release as much water as possible, then dried.

The Smith Studio and Gallery is located in downtown Geneseo, IL. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00-5:00, closed on Sunday and Monday.