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Saratoga Sampler Artists' paper beginnings grew to a businessBy Mary Ann Cook
PAPER AND SILK: Paper and Silk is the name of the business that two Saratoga women have created for themselves. The two, Jillian Ring and Elaine Salter, have similar backgrounds--art degrees, wide-ranging travel time and a decided love affair with textiles and the Far East.
Both were active in Hakone Gardens: Salter is on the board there. It was when they were decorating the Hakone Gift Shop that the idea for Paper and Silk was born. The shop offers Asian artifacts for sale, with profits going back to Hakone.
But the shop didn't have enough small, less expensive items, and the two artist/friends set to work, creating origami to be sold there. As they worked, their enthusiasm and their creations grew. Soon silks and other materials were being added to the paper, and the products began to look more like miniature costumes, less like origami.
Thus did the art business Paper and Silk evolve. That was two or three years ago, and after they had accrued a representative sampling, their work was accepted at a Palo Alto gallery, where it sold out.
Ring's degree is in art and textile design from the Chadwick House School of Art in England, and she is married to a rocket scientist. And yes, the jokes are legion. Salter's degree is in Asian art history and fine arts from Cal State Northridge, so her passions were evident even then.
Her husband designs computer chips, so both Salters are deep in design. The artwork that Elaine and Jillian produce looks like it could be three-dimensional mock-ups for costumes to be worn by Noh players or Asian opera stars.
The designers call their work "kimono art," since so much of it is composed of pieces of vintage kimonos. "We're giving a second life to kimonos; we're recycling Asian art," say the pair.
But the materials they use aren't just kimonos. They come from all over the world. Yak bone from Indonesia; hand-dyed silk from Tibet; old coins and paper from Bali; Victorian ribbon from Britain; pieces of jade; mulberry paper. When they see something that captures their fancy, they buy it, knowing it will get good use.
The materials are folded and glued, combined with unusual papers, textiles, soapstone. One piece even has an inro affixed thereon. An inro is a small medicine bag, similar to a male handbag, used by Shinto priests. One curator said their recent display was one of the three most worthwhile exhibitions he was involved in. Onlookers say they can get lost in the folds and the patterning.
Salter and Ring work individually, even though their end results strike similar chords.
MUSIC AS THERAPY: Here's another kind of therapy: music. Steve Barczak has turned his guitar-playing passion into his livelihood. He works for the Older Adult Program at West Valley College, strumming his stuff at convalescent homes, senior centers and the like.
He taught himself tunes from the '20s and '30s for this new direction. Newly arrived in these parts, he earned his academic degree in forestry from the University of Oklahoma.
CAMP CLEANUP: A contingent of Los Gatos Kiwanians, including members of the Saratoga and Los Gatos High school Key clubs, participated in the Camp Costanoan cleanup recently. The camp, near Stevens Creek Dam, is for children and adults with physical disabilities and is one of the projects Kiwanis supports.
Those who painted lockers at the camp one recent morn were Catherine Barrier, Paul Dubois and Mary Tomasi Dubois, Bart Raynaud and 17 Key Club members from Saratoga and Los Gatos high schools.
WILDFLOWER WALKS: Now that spring is (almost) officially here, it's time to factor in some wildflower walks. Thanks to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, there are even specific dates and places for those who don't venture out on their own wild flora explorations.
Mid-Week Wildflower Search at Edgewood County Park is March 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Birds and Wildflowers in the Closer Foothills is at Windy Hill from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For Wildflowers and Ponds at Skyline Ridge, try March 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Up to 50 species of wildflowers are in bloom at this time of year, 'tis said by the knowledgeable. Besides wildflowers, there's an Explorer Hike at Monte Bello March 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a Patterns on the Landscape hike at Monte Bello March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Evenings, even: A Blue Moon Hike to Black Mountain at Monte Bello is scheduled March 31 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. with docents Ed Hattyar and Debbi Brusco and includes a five-mile walk and dinner. Bring a flashlight and something warm to drink, and be prepared for cold.
Once in a Blue Moon Evening Stroll of 2-3 miles takes place at Picchetti Ranch March 31, 6:30 to 8 p.m. with Lucy Martineau. Evening events require reservations at 650-691-2153. The MPROSD office number is (650) 691-1200 weekdays.
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Saratoga, California Since 1975
