Up first is my good friend Heather Corey of Papermaker's Symphony. Heather wears many hats: artist, papermaker, art teacher and PR Assistant Chair for the hob 'art cooperative gallery in Hoboken, NJ. I'm always inspired by her many talents and am pleased to share her work with you.
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| Lotus seed pod #1, 2009 Abaca base sheet with paper-based clay |
EBD: How would you describe yourself: artist, papermaker, teacher?
HC: My goal is to be an everyday artist who challenges herself creatively. I continue to investigate my artistic motives, the medium in which I work with (abaca fiber), and the complexity of my compositions (i.e. scale, color selection, and the fiber’s arrangement and dimensionality). Furthermore, I continue to investigate paper as the subject, not surface.
As a papermaker, Abaca is my fiber of choice because of its versatility. It is a Philippine banana stem fiber. Beating time softens these fibers, mixing a pulp that casts in low or high relief. Pulp is layered and impressed to explore the fragility of structural forms. I like paper that isn't super-defined. I find beauty in the handmade quality of it.
My teaching career allows me to share my artistic experience and excitement with younger students who are eager to learn and appreciate the fundamentals of art making. Since 2007, I have taught fundamental and advanced drawing, painting, and sculpture courses at the high school level, as well as prepare students for art school with individual portfolio development. The classroom is more or less an art studio environment where students may appreciate and respect how to maintain a working studio while developing their own creativity. Their spark of artistic energy continues to be extremely rewarding for me.
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| Rose series |
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| Floral vessels in violet, 2010 Pigmented and sculpted abaca from series |
EBD: How did you spend your summer off from teaching this year?
HC: On a personal project—I helped my sister plan her wedding, which took place in August. We collaborated on custom invitation design, vintage-inspired centerpiece displays, and wedding favors. Event planning is one of my side hobbies, which allows me to ‘play’ a bit more with my creativity, network, and promote my artwork.
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| Petal paper, 2010 Dried and laminated roses |
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| Petal Composition #1, 2010 16 x 12 inches Abaca base sheet with pigmented abaca and dried roses from series/suite |
EBD: What is your latest focus for your art? Any specific projects planned?
HC: Recently (2011), I was selected to serve as PR Assistant Chair for hob ‘art co-operative gallery in Hoboken, NJ. In this position, I post PR for hob‘art-related exhibitions, fundraiser events, and classes being taught by hob’art gallery members. I recently participated in a three-man exhibition there entitled, ‘REVERIE.' I featured a newer series of my work, entitled 'Love Garment Series,' that is much more personal. I am creating more revealing compositions, which investigate the subject of a corset, allowing the viewer to see variations of femininity, seduction, and human nature.
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| Heather at work on her Love Garments Series |
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| Drafting process for the Love Garments, each is approximately 4 x 5 feet |
EBD: What is your biggest inspiration when it comes to your art?
HC: My favored contemporary artists include: E.V. Day, Richard Tuttle, Lesley Dill, and Mel Kendrick. I had the opportunity to view and assist in the treatment of their works while participating in the Dieu Donné Workspace Program (2007). Since then, their innovative styles continue to inspire me to explore more sophisticated techniques in the hand papermaking process, such as stenciling and hand-cast pulp onto wet and dry sheets.
My current series of work, The Love Garments, combines inspiration from modern movement expressions by fashion designer David Koma and focuses on dramatic coloring and a textural experience that strives to seduce the viewer.
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| Filling out sketches with hand-cast pulp |
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| Wet studio phase, hand-cast pulp |
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| Love Garments #1, 2012 Hand-cast pulp on canvas |
EBD: Tell me a bit about how and where you work.
HC: My studio features a Whiz mixer [to beat pulp] and large Plexiglas worktable. After the beating process, I transfer sheets of poured paper onto the table and begin to tear, roll, and wrap multiple strips of paper into floral and organic forms. When the pieces are finished they are left to dry slowly with a dehumidifier and fan. Pieces generally take 2 weeks to dry. When the paper is completely dry it tends to 'pop' off from the Plexiglas and create a smooth finish. Finally, I assemble these pieces together and secure them onto either canvas or a thick poured sheet of paper.
My studio is located in Suite E510 at the Monroe Center for the Arts in Hoboken, NJ; I welcome visitors anytime.
EBD: How has your work evolved over time?
HC: My work originated as sheets of handmade paper and has evolved into sculpted bouquets, floral vessels, and petal paper, all of which depict particular aspects of nature with their array of assembled textures and structural forms.
My current wall relief series features my trademark sculpted paper roses and emphasizes feminine motion. The fundamental elements of my work are organic and corset forms made from paper fiber and paper clay, layers of paint, India ink and pastel, and are assembled into large-scale works.
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| Inhabited Space Series I, 2010 Abaca base sheet with sculpted abaca |
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| Dress form bouquet, 2011 Hand-cast abaca pulp, cloth, dried roses 9 x 20 inches | Edition of 3 |
EBD: You are very involved in the Hoboken arts community. Who are some of your favorite local artists right now?
HC: I am actively involved with both a mural project and hob’art co-operative gallery in the Hoboken arts community. Artists whom I admire and work alongside include Liz Cohen-painter/sculptor, France Garrido-mixed media/collage, Willie Baez-painter, and Erik Attia-sculptor.
EBD: Where can we find you? What shows are forthcoming?
HC: The best places to view my art online are my facebook page and my blog. Below are links to these, as well as some other links.
hob’art co-operative gallery: hob-art.org/artists/heather-leigh-corey/
Artslant: artslant.com/global/artists/show/189997-heather-corey
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/PapermakersSymphony
Facebook: facebook.com/heatherleighcorey
Blog: papermakersymphony.blogspot.com
I am participating in an upcoming exhibit, 'Harmony & Contrast: Works on Paper from the East and the West,' at Highwire Gallery, Philadelphia, PA. It runs November 2nd–December 2nd, 2012, and the artist reception is Friday, November 2nd, from 5–9 pm.
I am especially excited about this show because I will be exhibiting with my fellow MFA alumni (Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts), and Professor Michael Moore, PAFA, will be our special guest speaker.
A big thanks to Heather for taking the time to check in with me. I wish her the best of luck in her upcoming show and look forward to seeing more of her work!
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