Books, books, books: they are so inspiring.
One moment a book can sit on a table as an old, dusty tome. The next it can begin turning into something extraordinary – a flower, for instance, or a delicately veined leaf.
The world of paper sculpting was on view last week at Barrhead Art Gallery during a public drop-in class.
One of those present was Liz Kletzel, a newcomer to the art scene who is keen to explore her creative side.
When the Leader showed up, Liz was fashioning a flower. Pages were blooming in her hands, a gradual transformation that clearly engrossed, perhaps astonished, her.
Normally Liz is to be found at Barrhead swimming pool, where she is a lifeguard and coach. A change of scene for a few hours appealed to her, for she decided there and then to join Barrhead Art Club, which is holding 7-9 p.m. drop-in classes every Wednesday in 2014.
Senior art club members like Maria Sieben, Marilynn Jeffery and Phyllis Nanninga – all of whom attended last Wednesday’s session – were delighted to welcome such a young and enthusiastic member.
“We are very keen to get more young people to join the club,” said Sieben.
Paper sculpting wasn’t the only activity at the gallery last week. Sieben and Jeffery found other purposes for books, using pages as blank canvases for their imagination.
Sometimes they painted on a page, sometimes drew, sometimes attached pieces of material in the form of a collage. The results were fascinating and surprising, proving there are no limits to artistic ambition.
The idea of the drop-in classes is encourage a greater interest in art throughout the community.
The original plan was for each class to feature a different art form. However, paper sculpting has proven so addictive that it will be continued next week. Some of the results could be on show at one of the club’s annual exhibitions.
