Friday, January 20, 2012

Wasp paper

I discovered this falling apart wasps nest in a tree a few days ago. I returned today to photograph it.

Before today's snow I gathered some of the wasp paper. Wasps make their nests by chewing wood pulp and sometimes other stuff they find lying around like plastic. I have often used wasp nest paper in my creative projects.

Of course you want to wait till fall or winter before collecting a nest. Be sure no wasps are in there. LOL.

23 comments:

Lynn Cohen said...

How interesting Suki, I sure hope we get to see what you create this time with the wasp paper. The photo of it is lovely. I love texture in things and this has lots of layers it seems.

Your house and barn photos are so interesting (in banner) and pretty (red one in sidebar).

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

This is a cool shot. Will you collect more or leave it. Did not know this about wasp paper. Learn something new every day. Interesting post.

Annie said...

Beautiful.xoxo

Jann Gougeon said...

I LOVE how wasps make paper!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I can't wait to see what you do with the wasp paper. I think they are facinating creatures and I love watching how they come and go from the nest. I have never had the privelige of watching them make the nest. They just magically appear.

Marion said...

Oh, I can't wait to see what you'll do with this wasp paper! I have a lot of it...the wasps love building nests in the trees here and they fall when the wasps are done with them.

Very creative photography, Suki! xx

~Babs said...

I, too, love all your snowy photos.
Very intriguing, this wasp paper incorporated into art.
Hope we get to see something you make.

Robin said...

The wasp nest is somewhat creepy - yet, still fascinating. It resembles lava... I did not know that abandoned nests could be used as paper....this is a *Suki Idea* for sure! That I really like.
With the exception of Bumblebees and Honey Bees, I am always a bit leery...I have never been stung...(can you believe it?)...so don't know if I am allergic... I can't wait to see the finished product one day!

Love fom rainy, windy SF,

♥ Robin ♥

Mystic Meandering said...

I have never heard of "wasp paper", but then again I'm not an artist. Sounds intriguing! Will be interested to see what you create! :)

Katiejane said...

Ooo, this looks very interesting. I'll be anxious to see what you do with it. I think this would work up very well in some collage work. Fun!

Andrea and Kim said...

Suki, this sounds so amazing! I love the idea of using these discarded "homes" as a basis for art!

Thank you so much for the introduction. I do not see these often, but when I do I will be thinking of returning for the left overs in the winter.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Wonderful to incorporate this 'paper' into your art...all new to me!

sukipoet said...

well, the way paper is made, such as computer paper for example, is often from mashing wood pulp with water. This makes a fair sort of paper.

for really strong and lovely paper you can use all manner of plant matter such as linen, flax etc plus hosta leaves. really, many many. Just like the hornets do. They chew the pulp in their "mouths" and spit it out into their nest shelter. We humans making paper "chew" it either with a blender of more sophisticated beater or even by hand with a meat hammer on stone to masticate the leaves into pulp from which our human paper is made.

Mim said...

someday I'm going to play with this paper....

soulbrush said...

Now that I never knew- they say you learn something new every day- well this is the one for me today.

ZenDotStudio said...

I had never thought of using the "wasp paper", how creative! I love it when people use unusual and especially natural material. I bet it has incredible colour. I'm filing that away for next time! Usually I'm just focused on getting rid of the nest if it's on or about the house.

This past summer our old teak lounge chairs had their grey finish almost removed by wasps! I couldn't believe how much of the surface finish they could actually take off.

marianne said...

Amazing!!! Must admit I don't like wasps.......about the only animal that scares me. But I guess they must be useful for something although so far I haven't discovered it. Until today now I see they make art paper for you YEAH!!!! OK they may stay.
Have a lovely Sunday dear♥

layers said...

I have never found a wasp's nest big enough to use its paper for collage.. must be beautiful to use that way.

kj said...

wow suki. i join the crowd in wondering what you will make and waiting to see.

this is all new to me, also. it's so fascinating how these little bitty creatures and bugs among us build their secure shelters. BUT: i hate wasps. HATE HATE HATE them. their sting is systemically excruciating (i'm allergic, but my guess is anyone's blood stream would suffer.)

are you keeping warm, suki? cozy?
i hope so.

love
kj

Kelly M said...

Suki,
What does it feel like? Is it strong? Will it hold up in your art project without tearing too much, or will you just work with the tears? Please do show us what you do with it!!!

Caroline said...

Fascinating Suki! I wonder what you'll make with it?

sukipoet said...

Kelly I use the paper in a decorative sense. ie: use it in a collage, on top of stronger paper.

in itself it tends to break apart.

ooops and now i am thinking it is hornet paper not wasp paper.

Unknown said...

That is truly amazing - it looks like a rainbow of many shades of gray - amazing!