Keila's Calling
Keila Ploof, Paper Artist

Character

My latest work inspired by my upcoming show at the Forbes Library, Hosmer Gallery.

The Crawl

A play on 'crawling into a good book' how the story pulls you in and carries you off...to a reverse sunset? Or is it a book worm?

Miette

French for crumb, each brick colored by natural changes in time as the visitors enjoy the daily search for...

Bulfinch Meeting House

A wonderful old meeting house layers covering old text to form just the right feel.

Grazing the Beauty

Inspired by a mix of my daily views, a wonderful place to live-even the horses are made with tiny slivers of white/grey papers.

Farewell

The first moment after lovers say goodbye. A nod to the pain of desire when two are from separate worlds.

The Fisherman's Day Off

A vast view shows where, if a fisherman had the day to himself, would like to be.

Sweeter with Time

A bright view of our future. A play on how a maple tree becomes sweeter with time as do we. A view from where we are shows if you are brave enough to venture out, a new world is waiting to be explored.

Jane Austen

A great love of the written word inspired this dreamy moment of young Jane's life.

Medieval Castle, Erice, Italy

A painting created out of antique newspapers and books. Feel the stormy atmosphere of the tip of Sicily with a Mediterranean view!

Chiesa Madre

The mother church with a rich history. Abandoned medieval village in Craco, Italy. This can be seen in person at Heywood Hospital and Levi Library. See shows/exhibits for details.

Sunset SOLD

A mix of tissue paper and old books.

An Invitation SOLD

A Valentine creation. This lady literally has the eyes of art history on her. A view in person will reveal how.

MorMor

A thank you gift to the owner of MorMor, a wonderful store that showcases over 50 local artists.

Lilian Rose

Intentions concentrate on expression. Who is she looking at in utter and complete peace?

Sisters

I can smell the hot chocolate waiting inside!

Red barn

A beautiful example of country life in western Massachusetts. Many books were used here some of which are...Community Play Ground cookbook from Southern VT, National Music Course 1892, The Folk Lore Readers 1904, Make it Now Bake it Later Good Fellow, Shel Silverstein Me and My Giant, Woman's Home Companion November, 1903, On Traverse La Manche 1994, Diamond Dreams Tom Boswell 1995, and The Turmoil Booth Tarkington 1915 gave its cover for the lovely barn. Tissue paper rounds out the long list.

Desire

A lovely expression of unspoken desire. An old dictionary and word book, (years unknown) were used as well as Away to Cape Breton 1936, The Youth's Companion 1895, Sebastian Bach 1937, Enemies of the Secrete Hide-out 1973, The Housekeeper 7/1905, and tissue paper. Come and see the details of this work at Heywood Hospital and Levi Library both in Gardner MA. See exhibits for details.

Selfie

A modern take on a self portrait, "selfie" was made using Ladies World 1911, Housekeeper 1905, and the book A Growing World, 1885. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 1940(?) completes the background.

Perspective Lesson

I love this work for many reasons but most of all is the hand made entirely out of little squares!

SOLD-New Love

Oh yes, the look of a new and budding love.

Blue Bird SOLD

Lots of history here. The bright blue bird was first carved from a page in the book "A Growing World", 1885 it has the most amazing paper, then tissue paper gives color and life to the little bird. The picket fence was crafted from piano paper my husband used as a child during his lessons (actual age of the book is unknown). The bird house is a blank cover page from the book "Manet" by J.E. Blanche, 1925 all the way from France, beautiful paper! The hills are created from world pictures by NASA

Open Room

A copy of The Ladies' World, March 1911 is the star of this study into depth. A few pages of The Growing World, 1885 was also used.

Black Cat SOLD

A memorial to the cat with the crooked tail.

New England Foliage-SOLD

A wonderful reminder of why we love fall here in New England! Several books helped to create a multi-layered feel to this garden but mostly tissue paper was used.

Little Bird

This piece was crafted from pages of the book "Sons & Lovers" by D. H. Lawrence, 1913. There is also paper from a few pen and ink drawings from 1900. The feel of this paper to me was as delicate as a little bird.

Bridge of Flowers SOLD, Foot Path

This floral delight was created using almost every book in my studio. Built slowly and meticulously, this elaborate display of flowers sings of gorgeous color combinations and form.

Bridge of Flowers SOLD

The paper used to make the bridge began as "The Ladies' World" March, 1911, very close to the 1908 creation of The Bridge of Flowers! Tissue paper and countless other books were used as well.

silent night SOLD

Cherry Blossoms SOLD

This piece was made entirely out of tissue paper. A touch of paint in several blues was added in just the right places to give depth. This speaks to me of spring, my favorite season.

Lost Mask

This expressive face was first created out of tissue paper. Then covered with text and pen & ink pictures from the "Woman's Home Companion" November, 1903. The border comes from pen & ink illustrations from "A Growing World", 1885. A light hand of paint completes this work of time gone by.

Recycled Sunset SOLD

Inspired by the paper waste often seen during the holidays. This piece is made entirely of recycled paper after a holiday morning! My first work made of twice loved paper found its way to California. I hope it's bringing joy to all who see it.

SOLD-Quiet Birch

Vintage handwritten cookbooks and random text create a scene of quiet beauty.

Mushroom

Vintage handwritten cookbooks light up the sky in a scene of larger than life mushrooms. Book paper from the 1800's with another touch of handwriting make up the hills. Antique pen and ink rounds out this combination of time.

Daisy

Several old books lend a hand in this large reminder of a simple daisy. Most noticeable may be the "Instructor's Manual Engineering Mechanics" who's hand written notes bring the perfect touch to the petals.