Created at the Canyon /  by Helen O'Connor

Created at the Canyon 
This past summer I was one of six local artists selected to create original works of art inspired by the culturally and ecologically significant landscape of Miles Canyon and the Yukon River. This project was sponsored by the Yukon Conservation Society.

Featured artists:
Shirley Adamson – painting, storytelling
Gorellaume – ink drawing
Anne Hoerber – encaustic (wax) painting
Françoise La Roche – tapestry/rug hooking
Helen O’Connor – paper making and sculpture
Sheelah Tolton – painting and sketch

 

I made a sized cotton rag paper with inclusions of local willow leaves for on-site watercolour painting. 

I made a sized cotton rag paper with inclusions of local willow leaves for on-site watercolour painting. 

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Invitation to International Paper Biennale, Tel Aviv, September 2017 /  by Helen O'Connor

Singing Stones (detail), Cast Paper (Handmade gampi, lichen, moss, wild grasses)

Singing Stones (detail), Cast Paper (Handmade gampi, lichen, moss, wild grasses)

I have been selected to show my installation "Singing Stones" at the International Paper Biennale in Tel Aviv, Isreal! The only way to make this happen is to travel with my work and install it on site. I have two weeks to raise the funds to make this happen. 

Please check out my fundraising campaign to support my travel to the event:

https://www.gofundme.com/helenoconnor 

Words Catalogue, May 2016 /  by Helen O'Connor

One year ago I was receiving art in the mail from all over the world. It was exciting to put together this show of thoughtful beautiful work. My goal was to share the unique aesthetic as well as the varied and expressive nature of handmade paper in combination with words.

Special thanks to Leslie Leong for outstanding graphic design work on the catalogue I am sharing with you here. Of course holding the hard copy in hand is the real deal!

Umbrellas: an installation of Paper/Ice/Light /  by Helen O'Connor

Preparing for the (S)hiver Arts Festival  in Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada

Sandi Coleman, CBC Radio Yukon, stopped by the studio to see preparation for my installation. Click here to listen to her interview. 

Here is a short video posted on CBC Yukon Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cbcyukon/posts/1254545437973731    

Umbrellas set up for casting with paper and ice (Dawson City, Yukon, back alley behind KIAC Klondike Institute of Art and Culture)

Umbrellas set up for casting with paper and ice (Dawson City, Yukon, back alley behind KIAC Klondike Institute of Art and Culture)

Installation at dusk 

Installation at dusk 

The snowy banks of the Yukon River, Dawson City, Yukon

The snowy banks of the Yukon River, Dawson City, Yukon

 

 

Washi - Japanese Papermaking workshop at Awagami Factory, August 2016 /  by Helen O'Connor

Thank you to the Fujimori family and Awagami staff for sharing this ancient process. Washi is made from the inner bark (bast fibre) of Kozo. After soaking, the outer bark is carefully scraped off. The remaining bast fibre is cooked with soda ash and then hand beaten. The pulp is added to a vat of water with the addition of nori. After vigorous mixing, sheets of paper are made on a bamboo "su". 

Artistans greet Prince William and Princess Kate in Carcross, Yukon /  by Helen O'Connor

It was a chilly morning in Carcross as Yukon artist Leslie Leong and myself set up our table with other local artists and makers. We were there at the Carcross Commons excited to be part of a community ready to greet the royal couple while sharing our creations with the crowd.  

"Arts Up Front" Whitehorse Arts Festival - Papermaking /  by Helen O'Connor

Participants at this workshop on Sunday, July 17th enjoyed learning about pulp painting and oriental papermaking. 

"I really enjoyed the class, especially learning about the history of paper making. It feels like such a sacred art to me now that you've put it in context."                                                            Janet Patterson