The Art of Paper Pulp

The Foundation of Every Piece

It's the starting point for many kinds of art, and at Lisa Ketty, I make my pulp from recycled paper and cardboard—choosing one or the other depending on the texture I'm after. If I want something smoother, I use paper. If I want a rougher, more tactile look, cardboard does the trick.

The choice of material isn't just about texture—it's about the story each piece tells. Paper gives a refined, delicate quality that works beautifully for intricate masks and detailed graphic work. Cardboard, on the other hand, brings an earthiness and depth that adds character and visual interest to bolder pieces.

Adding Color and Life

Sometimes, I'll mix in pressed flowers or linoleum colors to add natural texture and vibrant color to the pulp. The pressed flowers become part of the material itself—not just decoration on top, but woven into the very fabric of the piece. This creates subtle, organic patterns that catch the light differently depending on where you stand.

The linoleum colors I use are carefully selected to complement the natural tones of the paper or cardboard base. I prefer earthy, muted palettes that feel timeless, though occasionally a piece calls for something bolder. This hand-mixed blend becomes the base for my masks and graphic wall art.

The Creative Process

Working with paper pulp is a meditation in patience. Unlike clay or plaster, pulp has its own personality—it shrinks as it dries, develops unexpected textures, and sometimes surprises you with how it settles. I've learned to work with these quirks rather than against them.

Each piece begins with an idea, but the final result is always a collaboration between my vision and the material's nature. I shape the wet pulp by hand, building up layers to create dimension and depth. As it dries, I watch it transform, sometimes adding additional layers or paint to enhance the natural patterns that emerge.

Sustainability Meets Art

Rather than discarding unused paper and cardboard, I repurpose these materials to create decorative art. It's a creative way to cut down on waste and give everyday things new life as functional design elements. In a world drowning in disposable products, there's something deeply satisfying about taking what others throw away and transforming it into something people want to hang on their walls.

This approach isn't just environmentally conscious—it's philosophically meaningful. Each mask and wall piece represents a small act of rebellion against our throwaway culture. The cardboard that once protected someone's online purchase becomes art. The papers that once held meeting notes become decoration. Nothing is wasted; everything has potential.

More Than Decoration

For me, working with paper pulp is all about celebrating creativity, texture, and sustainability—turning ordinary materials into honest, contemporary art for your walls. Each piece carries the marks of its making: the impression of my fingers, the irregular edges where the pulp dried naturally, the subtle color variations from hand-mixing pigments.

These imperfections aren't flaws—they're proof of authenticity in an age of mass production. When you hang a Lisa Ketty piece on your wall, you're not just adding decoration. You're bringing home a small act of environmental stewardship, a celebration of handcraft, and a unique artwork that exists nowhere else in the world.

That's the magic of paper pulp: transforming the discarded into the desired, one piece at a time.