After looking back at my artist research I found that many of the artists I have been looking at that manipulate and build with paper either make or use paper which have stronger fibrous qualities and contain fibre such as abaca and flax, these are natural fibres. Abaca is the fibre stripped from banana palms which is then processed and cooked and dried to form the fibre. This makes sense that the artists combine this material to give durability and strength. As well as retaining the opaque qualities I enjoy within paper.
I wanted to give this material a go to see if this would make my paper more fibrous and strong. I am hoping I will be able to make thinner tissue like paper that has strength. After trolling through the Internet with not much luck locating uk based Abaca fibre. I came across a Norfolk based company that sell abaca pulp sheets (I was truly overjoyed!) which on the website state you blend and rehydrate accordingly and use like pulp. not only is this a traditional paper making material, it is also natural. I want to try and keep the man made material to a minimum although this is not always possible.
Lara Hoad Artist Designer: Maker 