Don Widmer
Pair of Towhees no. 4: Biding Time and Revelation (diptych)

Media: flax pulp painting on handmade hasta/kozo/cotton paper
Size: 17" x 18" x 0"
$260

Artist Statement:
The symbolism of the towhee relates to our world in transition. The bird has two distinct, yet balanced, natures. Mostly secretive, the birds can be heard scratching while hiding in a thicket of leaves ("Biding Time"). During nesting season, the males become bolder, taking to high branches to sing ("Revelation"). These two natures can be said to symbolize the wisdom of biding one's time, keeping a secret until the right moment to reveal what is hidden. These pulp paintings are created from various fibers, including flax, cotton, hasta and kozo.

Biography

Don Widmer is a book and paper artist whose work incorporates papermaking, letterpress printing, and artist bookbinding. His papermaking utilizes a process called pulp painting, where pigmented plant material (pulp) is used as a painting medium. The pigmented pulp is applied, freely or through a stencil, onto a freshly formed sheet of handmade paper. This artwork is made from various plant materials, ranging from cotton to abaca banana fiber. He also makes paper from recycled fabrics such as denim and linen. Don has exhibited throughout the Midwest, most recently at The Morgan Conservatory, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, Gallery Studio Oh!, A+C Architects Studio and Gallery, and The Compassion Factory. He has received several best of show awards and his work is represented in university, museum and library collections. Most recently, the Smithsonian purchased his artist book inspired by Chicagoan Frances Glessner Lee. Widmer received his MFA in Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts from Columbia College Chicago.

https://dwidmer.com/