Old maps & sea charts with burned holes, over painted with watercolor or inks and layered in the frame, create a very intriguing piece. I use my soldiering iron, a wood burning tool, candle flame and incense stick to achieve various results. 

 

Tyvek technique is to paint with acrylic, then use heat gun or iron to wrinkle and create bubbles and holes which i edge with gold. Bubbles form away from heat source so heat with paint side down if you want the bubbles to be raised. To press out some of the bubbles or flatten, flip over and heat other side. More heat on either or both sides will give more holes and an open lacy effect as the Tyvek melts away.

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Yupo paper is an interesting synthetic paper. But artists have discovered that it is super smooth, waterproof, doesn’t tear and holds ink with precision. I’ve created pieces with holes burned in with my soldering iron, then layered like the maps above. I like the bright white alone, but also I use alcohol inks both before and after burning the holes.

 

I am fascinated with the Korean art form of Joomchi. This paper making technique uses only water, mulberry paper and massaging to create a strong single sheet that can have incredible one of a kind texture with holes, that I love to use in my fiber art. 

 

Wet and Nuno Felting allows you to manipulate wool fibers to create all kinds of layers and textures before the final felt stage. Nuno felting incorporates other non-wool fibers like, silk, lace, yarns and gauze between layers of wool and with water, soaps and friction you can create some very interesting effects with texture including holes. 

 

Weaving papers or fabric strips with yarns and other fibers, I have created some unusual and highly textured pieces to add to my artworks. 

 

Gauze, scrim and cheesecloth can be hand dyed then by pulling threads too create holes, and gaps in these lightly woven fabrics allows me to add great texture to my Wabi Sabi pieces. 

 

Water or heat soluble fabric is kind of a magic way to create your own lace or faux felted pieces. I lay out a piece of this soluble fabric, then layer on threads, yarns, ribbons and even paper. Top with another piece of the special fabric, then stitch randomly across the entire piece. Once you’ve fully anchored your fibers with stitching. You remove the fabric as directed by the product choice. Stretch and dry flat. You’’ create a marvelous lacy piece. 

 

I hope you enjoy thiese pieces I’ve created with their incredible texture of HOLES!

- PJ Schadler