Claire Marks (American, Akron, Ohio – 20th Century)
Handmade marbled paper covered sketchbooks
2019
Acid free 100% cotton paper, Oil paint marbling, Case binding
8¾” x 5¾” (Demy Octavo)
$48.00 ea.
Marbled Sketchbooks
Marbling is the art of transferring paint floating on water to another surface, traditionally paper. The process has its origins in Japan, where it is called suminagashi (meaning “floating ink”). With the proliferation of printed books in the 15th century, these intricate, decorative papers became widely used as the end sheets of finely bound books and as their covers. Claire became fascinated with paper marbling while studying bookmaking at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Using what materials she had on hand, Claire developed her own marbling technique using oil paints thinned down to a watery consistency. Every paper pulled from the tray was a surprise, because the oil is impossible to control on the water.
“Though technically more of a challenge, traditional marbling techniques give me far more control over the patterns I can make with the paint.”
Claire Marks is a native of Akron, OH. She graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a BFA in Printmaking (2015). Her pieces have been exhibited in many northeast Ohio venues including the Morgan Conservatory of Papermaking, Summit Artspace, the John F. Seiberling Gallery and Lynda Tuttle’s Art Center.
** Handmade marbled bookmarks are also available