Collage Artist Mary Delany of The Paper Garden

***Congratulations to Cindy deRosier, Yani, Njeri, Karen Hornsten, and MB Isaac!***

While reading Alicia Paulson's beauty of a blog recently, she mentioned a book that sounded utterly fascinating... The Paper Garden by Molly Peacock.

The Paper Garden

The biography details the art and life of Mary Delany who lived in England in the 1700s. Married twice, most unhappily the first time, she became interested in - no, wholly dedicated to - paper sculpture at the age of 72 after the death of her beloved second husband.

The Paper Garden

Mrs. D created nearly one thousand botanically correct and remarkably dramatic collages from white rag paper and paint over the next sixteen years. The book is not just about the artist however, as the author intertwines her own challenging life story.

The Paper Garden

Originally published in 2010, it was released this past spring as a hefty paperback in the U.S. and the UK. The book includes examples of the brilliantly colored paper mosaics, a few of which you see here. Yes, they look like paintings, but they are not! The existing collection, by the way, is housed in the British Museum's Department of Prints and Drawings Study Room in London and may be viewed upon request.

The Paper Garden

I wrote to Bloomsbury USA and asked for a review copy that I've just begun. From the positive reviews, I'm quite sure it will be an enjoyable summer or winter read, depending on where you happen to live... I'm delighted to say Bloomsbury has offered to send a copy to five readers worldwide as a giveaway!

To enter, leave a comment on this post by Sunday, July 15. If there is no easily found email address on your Blogger account, include it or your Twitter name or Etsy name within the text of your comment. If you don't, you can't win. The winners will be chosen by random number generator and announced on this post and the All Things Paper Facebook page. Good luck!


Ann Martin
Ann Martin

This is a short biography of the post author and you can replace it with your own biography.

Comments

  1. oh yum! thanks for sharing your bounty!

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  2. What an awesome giveaway!
    Thank you!
    stephoniekwilliams (at) gmail(dot)com

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  3. Wow! What an inspiration and wonderful example of never giving up. Fabulous.

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  4. Sounds like a very interesting and inspiring book!

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  5. A wonderful giveaway, Ann. I had read a while ago about Delany and her truly beautiful collages.

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  6. The story behind this book does sound interesting.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. I would love to get my hands on this book. ♥

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  8. As a gardener, I am simply amazed at Ms. Paulson's work. It is beyond painterly, especially the thistles. I doubt if I have ever seen them duplicated better.

    Thank you so much for the opportunity to win.

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  9. Gorgeous! Now I want to see the originals . . . great reason for a trip to London, eh?

    (oh, I'm havingfunnow on etsy -- just in case -- fingers crossed!)

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  10. Those flowers are so lovely! I always like reading about people who begin creating when they get old, showing that it's never too late to begin something new (and excel at it as well).

    Hadn't heard about her before so I'd love a chance to win a book so I can enjoy more of her art and read more about her.


    manekinekogirl [at] gmail.com

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  11. What an amazing book! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  12. Another great giveaway! Thanks! Those flowers are absolutely gorgeous.

    Twitter handle: adrimarr

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  13. Thanks for the chance to win! This book shows there is still a chance for me!!

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  14. Tiene que ser un libro precioso. Gracias por la oportunidad.

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  15. I attended the art exhibit "Symbols of Power: Napoleon and the Art of the Empire Style, 1800-1815", which featured tiny mosaics set as jewelry for Bonaparte's wife. Since then I have been fascinated with small-scale mosaics, I think this book would be a lovely addition to my collection!

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  16. Lovely! thanks for being so generous! marytibbs@verizon.net

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  17. Wow I think this is a great oportunity for readers outside USA, thanks a lot, I apreciate this a lot.
    I will love to win this book.
    Kisses from México.
    sra_de_romero(at)yahoo.com.mx

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  18. Sounds delightful - I would love to win!

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  19. From facial tissue flowers to these...WOW! Such accurate detailing. Beautiful.
    Janterry@gmail.com

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  20. What beautiful work and a wonderful legacy to not only make the world more beautiful, but allow us to recognise its true beauty!

    emmalee.macmaster(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. how lovely! thank you!

    brunettewithblueeyes[@]gmail[.]com

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  22. Her work was beautiful. Sounds like an interesting and inspiring book.

    Jennifer
    LANDJL@yahoo.com

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  23. This looks like such a WONDERFUL story!! And a beautiful looking book as well - love the cover!

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  24. Flowers & paper- what a great combination! Would love to read this book.

    gretasmithson@msn.com

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  25. Wow, this looks like an increadible read. I'll make sure to add it to my summer reading list this year!

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  26. Wow!!beautiful, thanks for sharing!

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  27. I would love to have this book thank you for a chance to do so.

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  28. What a lovely book! Thank you for the introduction and the chance to win a copy!

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  29. What an inspiring woman and book!! It really NEVER is too late to follow your heart. Or to try a new avenue in your life. Love it! Sounds like a read I don´t want to miss! Thank you for an inspiring blog and for sticking to your theme - paper - and for finding so many different artists and techniques to write about and recommend. Gets my creativity going! /Lina Eklof - Sweden
    linaeklof@yahoo.se

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  30. wow, what an amazing giveaway. Those are awesome and I would love to see this book. She sounds like a very inspiring woman. It proves that you're never to old to start working on your dream.

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  31. what a dream of a book ! i love botanical drawings and paper crafts so this book would be my favourite !

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  32. Thanks for sharing another beautiful book - one with artwork and a story- double the pleasure.
    jacooper(at)ngvemail(dot)com

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  33. What a treasure! Thanks for having this awesome giveaway!

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  34. Fascinating subject - I would love to read this!
    Theresa

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  35. I can't believe that those are made of paper! Gorgeous work!

    msgould_ams (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  36. I can't wait to read this book!

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  37. Would love to have this in my collection to combine my two hobbies- gardening and paper art. Thanks for sharing!

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  38. Oh wow, I definitely need to read/own this book. It looks fantastic! I've wanted to do a similar kind of series with vertebrates (specifically reptiles?), but these are just stunning. I can't wait to read her story!

    scissorsfiend@gmail.com

    (sorry if this goes through twice, having trouble with blogger--grrr)

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  39. Giveaways for worldwide readers! Finally. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.^^

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  40. What a lovely book.I wish I could win it. Thanks for the giveaway!!!!
    costaschultz@gmail.com

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  41. Thank you for this lovely giveaway :)

    snowypac@gmail.com
    @YaniJin

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  42. Looks like it would be a fun and inspirational read. May be this one will be my fist give away win :)

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  43. Sounds inspiring, I'd love to read it! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  44. Such beautiful work!! Really really amazing. Can't stop admiring all the details in her work. They do look like paintings.

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  45. Thanks for a lovely giveaway Ann. I am always on the lookout for interesting books on paper crafting and this looks fun.

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  46. I was fortunate enough to borrow this from our library. The story of Mrs Delaney is a delightful one. It did bring one question to mind - I wonder if she did any quilling?

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  47. Stunning works...Seems much like paintings....Thanks for sharing....

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  48. Some more paper delight!
    Thank you!

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  49. Wonderful, Ann! Thanks for the opp to win what looks like a great read! Count me in and keep up the good work! - Karren

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  50. Hi, this is a lovely giveaway. Would love to get my hands on the book! :)
    My ID is sen(dot)gunjan(at)gmail(dot)com

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  51. I cannot believe this opportunity! What a remarkable woman, almost obsessed with this desire to create these botanicals, and at 72 years of age!!! Well, there is hope for this grama of 12 after all. Graceline Paper Studio on Etsy. Thanks for the opportunity to win this treasure!

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  52. The colors are insane --just beautiful

    ksukeena(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  53. The fact that Ms. Delany started this art at 72 is very inspring .. I still have time to make my mark in life. Looks like a beautiful book!
    Charlotte
    louisemey@aol.com

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  54. Looks like an amazing inspirational book ~ I would love to see more.
    Thanks,
    Debbie

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  55. awesome work!

    lia.sangalang(at)gmail.com

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  56. Sounds like a lovely book, one that both my mother and I would like. How nice of Bloomsbury to do the giveaway through you! I'd like to enter. My e-mail address is saskiak@yahoo.com. :)

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  57. Oh my goodness, they do look like paintings. Would love to read about this lady.
    Thank you Ann.
    Teddie

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  58. Now I really want to read her story! It sounds intriguing.
    http://icreatepurtythangs.blogspot.com

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  59. Mary Anne EnriquezJuly 10, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    I SO WANT this book. Not only her story sounds completely fascinating, but..get this...I work in a prairie that was once owned by the Peacocks in the early 1800s...and weho knows if they were related to her? they loved the 5000 year old prairie...and had it in their will never to plow it, let livestock graze on it...its all original. And of course its called "Peacock Prairie." I have been learning so many plants...and as an artist myself...I thoroughly enjoy the work shown here. I really WANT this book! botanical illustration at its very finest/

    I love the images on black too!

    Mary Anne
    urban_woodswalker@yahoo.com

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  60. This sounds so nice, would love to read it and as a quiller, this would be very inspiring.
    Francine

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  61. It's wonderful proposal! Thanks for the chance! I would like to have this book even if I do not win!

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  62. Love that you featured an artist who found herself at 72 years young. Love that. Thanks for sharing.

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  63. Sounds delightful!!!! Thanks for the chance to win one!
    Paper Hugs,
    Jan
    www dot jancastle dot blogspot dot com

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  64. Thanks for sharing and chance to win.

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  65. Wow!! Awesome Giveaway!!I love books!!!!
    Would love to win!!!

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  66. I forgot to include my mail id
    ...
    dipti.gk@gmail.com
    Thanks again for hosting this giveaway and giving 5 readers the opportunity of winning :)

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  67. I would cherish a copy of this. Really? 72?? in the 1700's?? and then for the next 18 years? That's remarkable for the time. Let alone what she did with those years. Fascinated to say the least.
    chris@rottinger.net

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  68. Sounds like an inspiring book! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    renata.lessismore@gmail.com

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  69. a very very interesting book, this must be!
    thank you, Ann, for a chance to win!

    xoxo
    steph
    si_sld@yahoo.com

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  70. This certainly is a wonderful give away, it would certainly be wonderful to have this in my bookcase to read a leisure. Kindest regards

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  71. what a beautiful beautiful book. it combines my fondness with paper art with the utter beauty of flowers :)

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  72. Beautiful book! Oh how I need a good read! :o)

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  73. I need to read this. I am 62 and starting out on a new art career. Need some encouragement and inspiration.

    B.

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  74. Ann, Paper is just amazing!!! I enjoyed taking a look at Alicia's blog. Molly's mosaics are perfect!!
    Licia Politis

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  75. Wow that sounds perfect - and makes me think that maybe I'm not too old to still find my own artistic calling either!! Thanks for the opportunity ;-)

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  76. Most inspiring! Thanks for offering a chance to own this book!

    glasshorsestudio@yahoo.com

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  77. SO beautiful! And remarkable to begin that work at that age! Would love to have a copy. :)

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  78. beautiful! Thanks for hosting this.

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  79. What an awesome book. Would love to read it.

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  80. The giveaway has ended. Thanks to all who entered!

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