M. Runnells has been working as a papermaker for the past fifteen
years. A graduate of Northwestern University, she majored in printmaking.
However, the chemicals used in producing that work proved too
toxic. So, she spent the next ten years journeying through various
media until, by coincidence, she happened upon the art of making
paper. It is in papermaking that she found her calling.
M. combines both Eastern and Western techniques and fibers to
create her richly colored works. These pieces are fanciful interpretations
of life in color and texture. While the works resemble paintings,
no paint is used in their creation. Only pigmented fibers, manipulated
into handmade paper sheets, are used to make her paper.
M.’s papermaking process begins with Kozo (an oriental
Mulberry tree sapling). It is cooked and then hand beaten with
a wooden mallet or 2X4 for about two hours (this separates and
shortens the cellulose fibers). Then the fibers are pigmented
and used as a “base” layer on a screen. Cotton half-stuffs
is beaten by machine anywhere from four to seven hours (depending
on how the fiber will be used). These cotton fibers are also pigmented
and used as another base layer.
In the last four years, M. has exhibited in the top shows in
the country, including:
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Smithsonian Craft Show - Washington, D.C.
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Cherry Creek Arts Show - Denver, CO.
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American Craft Expo - Evanston, IL
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Milwaukee Lakefront Arts Festival - Milwaukee, WI
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ACC Baltimore - Baltimore, MD
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ACC Atlanta - Atlanta, GA
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ACC St. Paul - St. Paul, MN
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ACC Charlotte - Charlotte, NC
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Longs Park Arts Festival - Lancaster, PA
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Plaza Art Show - Kansas City, MO
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Columbus Arts Festiva - Columbus, OH
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Port Clinton Arts Festival - Highland Park,Il
