Jim Meilander

Primarily a mixed-media artist, my artwork includes handmade paper, printmaking, collage, painting, drawing, and sculpture. My abstract imagery is a playful, personal synthesis of real and imaginary. I am inspired by my natural and man-made physical surroundings, objects used in work and play, and pure fantasy. For the last few years, I limited my palette to values of black and white. But lately, I’m adding back touches of color. I am currently working on a new series of artwork inspired by realistic imagery such as the forest trees surrounding my studio.

Producing the handmade paper that I incorporate into my mixed-media artwork is an integral part of my creative process. I begin by making sketches. Then I create a painting using a palette of pigmented abaca, cotton paper pulp, and pulp made from plants growing wild in Mendocino County. I find the varying neutral shades obtained from wild plant fibers especially welcoming. Collage elements are then embedded into the work in progress. After the paper has dried, I continue to develop the work using acrylic paints, printmaking techniques, collage, pencils, pens, charcoal, and encaustic. As I work on each piece, I allow for spontaneous images to develop.

In 1984, my wife Joan and I co-founded Submarine Paperworks, a hand papermaking studio, at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco. After moving to Gualala in 2000, we re-established the papermaking studio on our property. I have an active role in operating Submarine Paperworks that includes designing and fabricating the equipment such as molds and deckles, deckle boxes, a hydraulic platen press, and a vacuum table. I recently restored a 1966 Voith Valley (Hollander) beater.

Active Member: North American Hand Papermakers

Education: BS in Art Education. Ohio University, Athens, OH

Recent Awards from Gualala Arts:

Best Collage at Gualala Salon (2021)

Third Place in Prints & Graphics at Art in the Redwoods (2021)

Best of Show in Putting It All Together: Collage and Assemblage (2018)

First Place in Printmaking at Art in the Redwoods (2015)

First Place in Collage & Mixed-Media at Art in the Redwoods (2012, 2008)

Recent Exhibitions:

Joan Rhine & Jim Meilander Together: Individual & Collaborative Art at Coast Highway Art Collective, Point Arena

The Art of Paper at Art Center Ukiah

Expressions in Handmade Paper 3 at the Morris Graves Museum of Art, Eureka