Paper is ubiquitous, so much so that few people ever give it a second thought but paper is, in fact, a wonderful and magical material.

Papermaking has become one of my passions in life.  I first tried it, as a mature student, during my first year at Glasgow School of Art and loved it from the start although the paper I produced was akin to cold porridge – cotton linters with bracken mixed into it.  My tutor at that time did not really know much about the technique but saw that I was interested and advised me to go and study with Jacki Parry, an expert papermaker based in Glasgow.  From her I learned how to make paper properly and this set me on the road I still follow.

Papermaking was first invented in China over 2000 years ago.  Over the next few hundred years, Buddhist monks took the skill into Korea and subsequently into Japan.  It remained a closely guarded secret.  Eventually, through a mixture of trade and war, it came into Europe in about the 12th century.  The fibres used for making the paper would differ depending upon which suitable plants grew in each particular country.  In Europe one of the main sources of fibre was recycled linen clothing, linen coming from the flax plant.  As demand for paper increased there was difficulty in finding enough rags to meet the demand and alternative sources were investigated leading eventually to the use of wood pulp.

Everyone has heard of Johannes Gutenberg and the invention of his printing press but few think of the importance of the other newcomer to Europe at that time, paper.  It was the marriage of this press with paper which contributed to the exponential rise in the literacy rate in subsequent years.  Not such a humble medium after all.

In my own work, I continue my investigations into making pulps from native plants.  From the start there has always been an element of walking in my work, another of my passions.  Thus much of my work is site-specific with the raw materials for my pieces coming from the plants of the area of the walk.  Each piece yields a different paper.  Magic.

I give many workshops around the country and the response in invariable enthusiastic.