Claire Marks - Jubilee: Marbled Papers

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.

“I call this show a “Jubilee” because the term captures the feeling I have when pulling each paper from the marbling tray.” ~ Claire

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. Claire has recently been teaching herself more traditional marbling techniques.

“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 Paper-making, Summit Artspace, the John F. Seiberling Gallery and Lynda Tuttle’s Art Center.

Marks currently fills her free time making books and marbling paper in her home studio under the name Peaceable Kingdom Books.

 The show runs from June 1 through June 29, 2019