Miscanthus Giganteus Anyone ?

Miscanthus Giganteus

Picture This !
One early Saturday morning my doorbell rings and there is the owner of Picture This Gallery on Hilton Head Island, Mira Scott, with a large bag of Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus Giganteus). Always up for experimenting with new fibers for papermaking, I was grateful for her effort. A friend of Mira's is growing large quantities of this non-invasive ornamental grass for experimental use as a bio-fuel with great success and she was able to obtain some for me. I love unexpected gifts ! Papermaker Jane Ingram Allen has used Miscanthus floridulus, in this family of Silver Grasses to make an excellent strong light tan paper during her papermaking journey through Tiwan. http://www.janeingramallen.com/ I think I can get a similar result using M."Giganteus".. it looks like a tough plant !

So, along with my banana skins and Canna Lily fiber I have Japanese Silver Grass to process for classes I will be giving at Picture This Gallery http://www.picturethishiltonhead.com/ beginning February 5th. rag paper with some seagrass fibers added and painted with stripes using a paste paper method.

Hand Papermaking Classes
This February I will start with beginner papermaking at "Picture This Gallery" on Hilton Head Island. The classes will include a lecture, instructions on making all tools necessary and how to obtain suitable fibers to make acid free quality papers. Students will mostly be using cotton rag fibers, some Asain fibers and for added interest we will combine locally grown and prepared plant fiber.
Intermediate Classes will include plant gathering and preperation, use of different types of molds and deckles and drying systems with some small projects, pulp painting on a small scale.
Advanced Classes will be with Asain type fibers to create fine translucent papers (generaly called rice paper) totally prepared by students, refining beating methods, papercasting and mold making.
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The Robert C. Williams Paper Museum, Atlanta, is worth a visit...plan a whole day...if your in town.
If not check their web site http://www.ipst.gatech.edu/amp/. The site features current exhibitiions and interesting links to many papermakers and artists.
It is featuring a 1/2 hour video on the history of the TWIN ROCKER HAND PAPERMILL.... a fascinating look at every stage of making paper.