1/28/25
As part of a class project, my two partners and I created handmade paper using a blend of shredded, colored paper soaked in water. We used a screen to collect the pulp, pressed out excess water with cloth, and dried the sheets on paper. This process connects to chemistry through the breakdown of plant fibers (cellulose), pH level control, and the addition of strengthening additives to enhance texture and durability. Papermaking is also an art form, allowing for creative expression through color, texture, and the incorporation of materials like flowers or fabric fibers.
1/25/25
In class, my partner and I experimented on natural dyeing. We used red cabbage, vinegar, and baking soda to dye fabric and explore how pH affects color. First, we dyed the fabric by boiling it with red cabbage and vinegar. Then, we tested whether we could create designs by painting the fabric with a baking soda and vinegar solution. Our hypothesis was correct—the solution altered the color—but we weren’t satisfied with the depth of the dye. We concluded that adding more cabbage would have resulted in a richer, darker color.
1/14/25
I made this painting using the Chinese broken brush technique.I pressed lightly in some areas and lifted in others to create rough, textured strokes. Instead of making continuous lines, I let the ink run naturally. i did things like doting the paper to make grass and leaves. I love this art style because it enables the brush to and ink flow naturally rather than forcing precise details.
1/9/25
In class, we learned how to weave paper into a heart shape and make a basket out of it. This tied back to our former assignment where we weaved more paper together representing covalent bonds. The different colors represent the different elements bonding.
Weaving and covalent bonds are connected metaphorically through the idea of joining things together to create strength and stability. In weaving, the paper is interlaced to form a durable structure through their connections. Similarly, in covalent bonding, atoms share electrons to form strong, stable molecules, with the shared electrons acting as the long strip that holds the atoms together. Both processes involve forming strong connections to build something together, whether it’s weaving paper or binding a molecule in chemistry.
In class, we were assigned to create mandalas designed to look like atoms. For each ring around the atom, we added symbols that were deeply meaningful to us. We also filled the remaining space with creative and interesting patterns. This project was a unique way to combine science and self-expression, allowing us to represent our identities through art.