Seaweed papers

Seaweeds collected from coastlines by the artist are embedded in paper pulp during the wet hand papermaking process. The seaweed and natural pulp are pressed and dried together, resulting in an extraordinarily detailed preservation of the aquatic species, layered inside a tactile, imperfect, translucent handmade paper complete with feathery 'deckled edges.'

My artwork brings natural materials into contemporary art, acting as witness to changing species and poignant evidence of human activity, while celebrating the beauty and natural colors of the living sea.

Exhibited at: Roger Tory Peterson Institute; T.F. Green Airport, Providence, RI; Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, MA; Chandler Gallery, Montpelier, VT; Worlds Fair Gallery, Providence RI; Hamilton Gallery, Salve Regina University, Newport RI; City Hall Gallery, Providence, RI; Private Collections.

Sea of Secret Colors

9 x 6 inches, artist-made paper (linen rag, flax, abaca), seaweeds, inks from turmeric and indigo, 2022.

Layered with handmade inks from indigo and turmeric pigments.

Rhode Island Herbarium

12 x 17 inches, 2018 - 2021, Artist-made paper (from linen rag, artist-grown flax, abaca, cotton paper waste), seaweed, pondweed, gilded metal leaf.

I am inspired by the beauty found in aquatic plant and macroalgae species, some living in the waters for a long time, and some originating from other waters and oceans across the earth—having traveled via various natural and human transportation methods.

I work towards correct identification of seaweed and pondweed species, through changing lifecycles, seasons, and locations, and also research their ecological roles and human uses in the past and present. I am continually surprised by what I find washed up through different times of the year. Along Rhode Island’s shores, I do find masses of seaweed blooms and ecologically troublesome species—results of human activity causing an imbalanced ecosystem.

The hand lettering in gilded metal leaf indicates a mix of the colloquial, Google Maps, and researched Indigenous names of the collection sites to express the complexities and diverse histories in our landscapes. Many Algonquian place names are prominent in New England, and the First Peoples of Rhode Island have persevered through centuries of colonization. Place names reflect this history, and situations where the name changed to Euro-centric names or have kept Indigenous names or their variations, derivations, and summarizations. Prior to colonization, all Rhode Island waters and lands were territories of Narragansett, Wampanoag, Nehântick, Nipmuc, and Pequot First Peoples. Following their examples, wisdom, and resilience, I encourage ecological citizenship in relationship to your local waters, lands, and living things.

This site specific and research based project touches upon vital issues surrounding ecosystems in the Narragansett Bay watershed, tying together the natural world with the ongoing relationships between people and place.

Weathering Series

Artist-made paper, seaweeds, copper leaf, Providence River water and Miracle Gro patina, 4 x 6 in., 2019-2020

In this series, I chose to use found seaweeds and water samples to 'draw’, celebrating the beauty found in natural forms contrasted with colors created from local waterways and chemistry in the studio. I oxidize gilded copper metal leaf with a mixture of river water or ocean water found at the site, and Miracle-Gro, resulting in the blue and green patina colors. The drawings are inspired by historical waterways, including Great Salt Cove, a lost tidal marsh located in present-day downtown Providence, Rhode Island.

Macroalgae

9 x 6 inches, artist-made paper (linen rag, flax, abaca), seaweeds.

The first of the Seaweed Papers series, Macroalgae was an innovative identification method while researching aquatic plant and algae species for paper fiber in Rhode Island waterways.

Resources

Learn more about the First Peoples of Rhode Island by exploring:

• the First Peoples of Rhode Island Rhode Tour Curated by Katharine Kirakosian, PhD and Tomaquag Museum

• Find information on the First Peoples of your location with Native Land Digital’s map of territories

• Support and learn more from the Tomaquag Museum, which is Rhode Island’s only Indigenous museum “dedicated to sharing our culture, arts and history from a first person perspective.”

Seaweed Guides

• A good beginner guide focused on commonly harvested Maine seaweeds can be found at the Maine Seaweed Council. Though Rhode Island is further south on the East Coast, I have found most of these listed species in my locale.

• The Seaweed Site, a helpful and in-depth website about marine algae

• For introduced aquatic species identification, browse the RI DEM resource page.

• New England Water Species Identification from SECONN Skin Divers.