Abigail Merickel

Printmaking, Paper Making, and Book Making

americkel@bendcable.com
(Sisters)
Pre-K - Grade 5

About the Artist: Abby is an accomplished artist who teaches papermaking, printmaking and book arts. She spent many years abroad studying languages, culture and painting. She has an M.F.A. from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, Italy, and has experience teaching children in summer camps, English elementary schools, and Pre-K-4 Art Specialist and artist residencies.

Residency Description: In all residencies Abby teaches art vocabulary, elements and principles of design, and the history of art relating to the specific residency. All students will finish the residency with a presentation and reflection of their work. Printmaking and Bookbinding: Students will create their own design on a printing block and make their own prints. The next step is to learn the process of simple bookbinding when they bind a book of their prints. Color, Paste Paper and Bookbinding: Students will create a variety of textured and marbled paper from a process of mixing paste and paints. Using the paste papers, they will learn about color mixing by creating a giant color wheel and create torn and cut paper collages. They will incorporate these collages to illustrate their finished bound book. Variations on this residency: animal images, 3-D cut and torn masks. Playful Printing Possibilities: Students will produce hand-pulled prints using various simple printmaking techniques. They will experiment with pattern, texture and value. They will create their own monotype and use natural objects to create a nature print on the press. At the end of the residency, students will display and share the hand-pulled prints with the group at a gallery walk.

Staff and Community Offerings: Review of Printmaking and Paste and Paper Residencies, Art and Inspiration, Papermaking Workshop, Handmade Cards, Mixed-Media Collage, Pop-Up Cards

Facilities and Supplies: A self-contained classroom is ideal, however a cart to move supplies to and from classrooms is workable. Supplies include paper, paint, and inks. Set up and clean up volunteers. Drying and storage space is necessary.

Material Costs: Approximately $.75 - $1.50 per child

Connection to other Subjects: Social Studies, Language Arts, Math.