Paper Mache'

I have recently returned to school to acquire my Bachelor's degree. One of the classes I have taken is Art and Music appreciation. We were required to complete a creative project of our choice. I chose to try paper mache'. I wanted to create something to represent a verse in the Bible.

Matthew 14:22-33

^“22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. ²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. ²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” ³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Supplies

• Newspaper
• Water and flour
• Paint and paintbrushes
• Masking tape
• Chicken wire
• Gloves

The first thing to do is decide on what you want to cover with paper mache. I chose a boat, feet, and water. You will then have to build an object to cover. I used chicken wire, newspaper, and masking tape. 

The project before Paper mache

I used a glue recipe of equal parts water and all-purpose flour. I tore the newspaper into strips and dipped them into the glue mixture. I covered each piece with about three layers of newspaper. 

Boat

Feet

I did a little something different with the water. I am not a good painter so I wanted to create the color through the glue. I added blue food coloring to the glue mixture and dipped white tissue paper in it. I felt I could have accomplished a similar effect with blue tissue paper without using the food coloring. 

After everything dried for 24 hours it was time to add some personality to the project with paint. I painted the boat a simple brown. I contemplated making it fancy and adding all the extras but I then thought about the simplicity of the disciples and how likely it was that they had a simple boat. I added sandals to the feet with paint. I don't think I am going to win an award for the finished project but I enjoyed doing it.

The finished project