Meet Aza, Sam and Makie, some of our regulars. They told us they were especially excited about our pen collection and our newly arrived Japanese goods — and we couldn't agree more! They were absolutely delightful people. Come back soon, guys!
Dad's Day June 19th
Every man is different. Celebrate your special Dad.
Adventurous Dad
Artsy Dad
Fix It Dad
This is Grayson! A true fan of Paper-Ya.
This is Grayson, a 10 year old that we noticed exploring details in our store, when we commented, "your really observing everything," with the biggest grin, ear to ear, he said, "I love this store!"
Grayson was in the store with his parents and sister. They were having a "Screenless Sunday!" We asked him to pose in front of his favourite spots in the store. Typical guy, he chose the pen section! Here he is holding one of our grass pens. His second choice is the wax seal section. And yes, we did ask permission to make a post featuring one of our greatest fans. Thank you Grayson! Hope to see you soon from all of us at Paper-Ya.
Chi Yu-Wen's Water Fairies Reproduction Project 20014-2015 MOA
Upon entering this white ethereal space of flowing paper shapes draped from ceiling to floor a sense of magic prevails. A slight whisper of "wind" gently moves the all white "invisibles" throughout. The color white is symbolic of the virgin, purity or yang and the colour of ancestral spirits, death and ghosts. This is all paper, gauze and light. Both meditative and ghostly we sense transformation is in the air. We enter, slowing down, becoming quiet to experience a presence of otherness.
The paper cut outs are of lightweight card stock. Each shape possibly die cut. Both the positive and the negative spaces of the cut outs are employed. Their shapes are playful, figurative and delicately come alive to the slight movement of air. A lighter softer paper hangs from the entrance ceiling, it has been washed with a translucent glimmering white paint, suggesting clouds folded within themselves, perhaps caressing a misty mountain region or tall skyscrapers. As one walks further you are welcomed by a chamber of sorts, within this space a round cream rug is centered within. You are beckoned to come inside, meditate, pray or simply be closer to the spirits.
The lighting throughout is white except for three lights that cast a blue glow onto the "spirits". Uncertain as to why, there is no suggestion of a transition other than its striking beauty, the blueness appears suddenly then just as quickly, disappears. Not all is revealed to us mortals in this mysterious world of shadows, even the artists statement is tucked behind the work, almost entirely hidden for it not a open "window" to encounter it. Lastly we come to a column of spirits overflowing upward like a fountain spraying life out. The yin to the yang, a groom for a bride.
We encourage you to view this intriguing exhibition of seven Taiwanese artists, titled (In)visible The Spiritual World of Taiwan Through Contemporary Art at the Museum of Anthropology UBC held until April 3, 2016
Valentine's Day makes February the month of Love!
A day to celebrate our love with exuberance and joy! Why not? We think it should be a month long holiday, or at least a week. But since it is only one day, we suggest you express yourself to all those you fancy with full abandon!
Saskia Jetten discovers the joys of printmaking in three dimensions with Tengujo tissue.
Saskia Jetten first discovered Tengujo paper in Montreal while she was an artist in residence at Atelier/Galerie Alain Pirior, August 2012. Using this very inexpensive and lightweight machine made version of this amazing Japanese paper she has created collagraphs, dry points with chine colle and became inspired to return to paper to work in three dimensions.
"I was so fascinated by this delicate, yet strong paper that resembled thin fabrics like the silks and cottons on which i had been printing on previously. It made the transition clear to me to go back to paper as my printing surface but use it as if it was fabric. I started to experiment, to sew the Tengujo paper. I love the fact that it is transparent but not translucent. It prints great with stone lithograph, linocut, woodblock, dry point and collagraph. It is also great as a base for chine colle. As it is priced very attractively, I felt free to experiment and did not have to worry much about mistakes and spoiling paper".
"In this work, the Tengujo washi tissue makes up the clothing of these figures. The images resemble their true being; there is no body in the clothing. The imagery printed on the clothing refers to the figures facing their fears, their hide and seek, their anxieties".
A note about Tengujo: these papers come in both handmade and machine made sheets. The handmade Tengujo is 100% kozo and is only 10g all sheets are dyed with synthetic dyes. There is no white sheet. All sheets are approximately 21 x 31 inches. There is an inexpensive and popular machine made version. It is 12 g, 25 x 37 inches and comes only in white. It is made of 60% kozo and 40% abaca. It is almost impossible to tell the difference even with both sheets in your hand! Both are beautiful.
sharpening our powers of Attention
Although we have sold the Palomino Pencil line and the Kum pencil sharpener for several years, this is NOT an advertisement for these fine products. At the very beginning of this informative and inspiring video you may feel like it is! We did. But it soon becomes clear that Clive Thompson has much more to say about a fascinating topic. We hope it inspires you in your creative life!
The Pencil and the Keyboard: How The Way You Write Changes the Way You Think Discover bold, powerful talks from diverse, exciting, and influential people. These riveting presentations will educate, challenge, and impress you in 12 minutes or less! Be BOLD. Be There.
