#marbleized

Decorative Marbled Paper from Harvesting Colour

Today we present decorative marbled paper from Harvesting Colour: The Year in a Marbler’s Workshop by Ann Muir with and introduction by Barry McKay. The design, layout, and printing were done by Graham Moss and Kathy Whalen at Incline Press in Oldham, England in 2000 in an edition of 250 copies. The book was set in Baskerville and Old Face Open types and printed on archival-quality Heritage 160 gsm paper, deliberately cut against the grain. The book is divided into twelve monthly chapters, a 20-inch sheet of marbled paper by Ann Muir accompanies each chapter, and includes text about the inspiration for each marbled design.

Ann Muir died in 2008, and Nancy Campbell wrote in Ann Muir: ‘Ebru by the sheet’:

Ann’s skill in reproducing historical designs and patterns was remarkable. In cases of sympathetic repair work or rebinding, Ann was able to receive a scrap of old paper through the post and return it with two or more full sheets in the same style and colourways, often within a couple of weeks.

As Ann’s reputation grew, opportunities for a more imaginative use of her talent flourished; she was increasingly commissioned by fine press printers to design paper for specific titles, each one reflecting a book’s theme.

Graham Moss of Incline Press, who spoke about Ann’s work at her funeral at St Michael’s, Mere, Wiltshire, on July 30th, described her papers as being ‘ebru by the sheet’ – illustrative, rather than purely decorative, material. ‘Ebru is the epitome of marbling skill, pictures created on the surface of water with colours that you can’t read until the image is transferred to paper, most usually of ornate and fantastical flowers. Ann expanded these ideas; flowers yes, along with ladybirds, snails and spiders with fantastic webs, even hedgehogs, trees, and amazing red and gold fish in underwater scenes. And as well as the expected size, she made miniature marvels of all these, drawn on the surface of water in an ice cube tray, on the table at home as fit for an evening’s entertainment after a day at work.’

Our copy of Harvesting Colour is signed by Ann Muir, and is another generous gift from our friend, Jerry Buff.

View more posts about the Incline Press.

View more posts about decorative arts and pattern books.

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