Most of my creative efforts have involved paper in some respect or other whether specifying stock as a graphic designer, printing my photographs, or now, working with papier mâché. I’ve found paper to be a beautiful, simple material with many applications and surprising strength. My process is intentionally slow with many steps and pauses. I enjoy every part including the simple tearing of the newspaper. I become very involved in this work and truly enjoy it. There’s a sort of humility in surrendering to this simple process. There’s no room for impatience and there’s no instant gratification.
Like many artists I find that nature offers inspiration, subject matter, and a feeling of repose. My shapes are organic to varying degrees. The bowls are round but not exactly, the tables have legs that resemble tree limbs. I try to convey peacefulness in my decoration most often building a design based on symmetry of elements and colors. And I like a story. I use animals, birds, insects and human silhouettes to create a situation that could become a narrative. My demilune table has an entire fairy tale on its top. My bowls hold little worlds. I also like lots of detail. There are many very tiny elements; lizards, mice, gnats, that draw the eye and keep it hunting for more. My palette is subdued giving the work an antique look. The varnish finish is soft and matte. I hope these elements all combine to give a sense of the calm, simple process that made them.
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Each of the pieces I make is hand built and one of a kind. My papier mâché technique is the same one most of us used as children: I layer strips of newspaper dipped in diluted white glue inside an existing bowl or over a cardboard armature. The faux bois is made from paper pulp applied to wire mesh. Decoration combines painting, decoupage and collage using detailed motifs of flowers, greenery, birds, animals. All of these pieces are lightweight and strong. They are varnished and water resistant. The tables are functional. These pieces are easy to care for and with a little attention will last beautifully for a long, long time.
natalie@nataliewargin.com
773.588.2757
Artwork ©2007 Natalie Wargin
Website Design ©2007 Natalie Wargin
Photography ©2007 Philip Mrozinski
Chicago Tribune Interview, July 15, 2007.
Midwest Living Magazine, December, 2007.
