Pittsburgh Artist Registry

                                    Paper cutting - an ancient folk art - my artistic passion               Since 2008 I have focused my talents on the art of paper cutting.  I am self taught in this discipline and continue to explore new ways to present this art form. I am enticed by the bold effects of the cut paper imagery and the dramatic play of the shadows they cast.  I love how the simplicity of the lines in a silhouette can produce such complex expressions and conjure vivid memories and feelings. I turned to paper cutting because I am drawn to the bold graphics of block print, and I desired to create work similar to that style.  I was starting to travel overseas so I needed tools and materials that were extremely mobile and available to purchase just about anywhere.  Equipped with pencils, paper, knife blades and scissors I started experimenting with paper cutting.  I took to the art form right away and knew immediately that I had found my passion.  I begin a piece by first thinking of an idea or situation and then I ponder ways  to make it unique, playful or even alarming.   I draw the composition on the back of the paper keeping in mind that most all of the images should connect so the finished work will all be from a single sheet of paper.   I use scissors and/or a knife blade and cut away the negative spaces.   The art usually is mounted in a deep frame and casts shadows as it floats in front of the  backdrop.