Cut Paper Art / Afro Comb Inspiration

I get ideas for my art by researching a certain topic, looking at pictures, reading books or flipping through blogs. While looking up African mask styles I came across a website about an exhibition in London at the Fitzwillam Museum called The Origins of the Afro Comb: 6,000 years of culture, politics and identity. The exhibit was over, but it excited me to see so many designs of the Afro comb. As an African American woman with lots of hair this tool has played important roles in the creation, maintenance, and decoration of my hair and in my cultures history.

I was so interested in this exhibit and the history I decided to design and have my own interpretation of the Afro Comb. I first created rough sketches and scanned my images into Illustrator. From there I refined my shapes and ideas, until my Afro Comb was symmetrical and looked the way I wanted. I then printed my design out, taped it down to black paper and started cutting.

Paper Cut Art Afro Comb

Paper Cut Print in Orange and Blue

I loved these two so much I am currently designing another Afro Comb paper cut. Stay tuned!

Favorite Female Visual Artists Women's History Month

For Women’s History Month I wanted to discuss some of my favorite female artist. I have been influenced by most of them and the others I just like their artwork. I don’t have a long list but I am always on the look out for new artist and styles.

Kara Walker focuses her art on identity, race, gender and sexuality. She uses large black cut paper silhouettes to express the darker side of human behavior.

http://learn.walkerart.org/karawalker

Tamara Natalie Madden is a mixed media artist that uses photos of everyday people and portrays them as royal kings, queens and warriors.

http://www.aviscafineart.com/Gallery_Artists/Tamara_Madden/tamara_madden.htm

Ekaterina Koroleva is a graphic designer and illustrator. She draws with sketchy pen strokes and uses beautiful soft watercolor backgrounds.

http://www.ekaterina-koroleva.de/

Njideka Akunyili Crosby is an mixed media artist that uses images of Nigerian culture and her own family photographs to create her own personal portrait of her home country.

http://njidekaakunyili.com/

Elizabeth Catlett is a wood, stone sculpture and print maker. She uses her art mediums to depict race, gender and class issues.

http://elizabethcatlett.net/

Cristina Troufa is a figurative painter. She using herself as her subject matter and her art express her life and her beliefs.

http://www.ignant.de/2014/05/05/self-portraits-by-cristina-troufa/

Stina Persson is an illustrator and uses watercolor, cut paper, ink, vector art and photography. Her style has a very sixty glamorous feel to it.

http://www.stinapersson.com/

Cassandra Gillens is a self taught painter. Her colorful paintings depict southern style and lifestyles.

http://cassandragillensart.com/

Frida Kahlo is a self portrait painter. She painted vivid and intense colored paintings showing the female experience and form.

http://www.fridakahlo.com/

Mickalene Thomas is a painter that glams up her painting with rhinestones, acrylic and colorful enamel. She portrays the complexity of being a black women and explores the definition of femininity and power.

http://mickalenethomas.com/

I hope you enjoyed my list. Who are some of your favorite female visual artist?

American Craft Council Overview

As I stated in my earlier post I participated in the American Craft Council’s “Let’s Make” Station in Baltimore. It was so much fun! Even though I was sick and it snowed heavily Saturday, I had a blast!

I got into Baltimore on Friday night to put up my paper cut art along with Annie from B’morecuts and to see the layout. Our station had a table with three stools and three dividers. Annie had beautifully created a banner and put up examples of our templates on the dividers.

Saturday, I was scheduled to be there at 10:00am and to man the station till 3pm. I had many inquisitive visitors stop by the station and lots of people actually sat down to try their hand at paper cutting. I talked to the visitors and showed them techniques to make the paper cutting process easier. Paper cutting art can be a long and boring process so most people started but didn’t finish their template. I ended up encouraged them to take it home and finish it later which most people were happy to hear. The Baltimore Convention Center is a huge place and there were many displays of quality artwork, so I understood when people stopped cutting their paper cut art templates. I was just glad they tried.

My family came out Saturday to support me and I made a couple of connections with people for interesting business collaborations.  

My Brother in law - Matthew Washington

Sunday was the last day and I got in that morning around 11am. This time Annie’s assistant was able to come and help since the snow in the area melted. I started to feel worse so I didn’t stay as long as I wanted. The crowd was a bit thinner than Saturday, understandably. There were more kids this time and they wanted to participate, which made me uneasy. I had two accidents, one from an adult and one from a teenager. They both cut their finger but they were good sports about it. So glad we had a emergency kit...

Overall the “Let’s Make” stations were a success. Many people told me that they enjoyed all the stations and would like to see this format again next year. Hopefully, I will be asked to come again!

Janelle Washington of WashingtonCuts

WashingtonCuts and B'More Paper Cuts Art Display

Free Paper Cut Art Templates / Silhouettes

I was so excited to host the Let's Make your Mark Inspiration paper cutting art station at the ACC  Saturday 2/21 and Sunday 2/22/2015. I had to design a couple of templates for our visitors to try their hand at paper cutting art. Since I love silhouette art, I designed three silhouettes each with a different difficulty.

This one says " Be Original" Who can argue with that? 

You can download the templates for personal use only... and see how well you do with paper cut art! I will post one every week on Thursday, on the last Tuesday of each month.


It is a jpg but you should be able to download by right clicking on the art and copying it to your desktop.

Please comment below on how you liked the template or use hashtag #WCTemplate and @WashingtonCuts on Instagram to show off  your skills!

History of Paper Cutting Art

Paper cutting is an unique art form that has existed for thousand of years. It’s first origins date back to the 4th century China where it was used to form stencils to decorate fine silk and was used for religious decorations. The designs ranged from very simple one layer designs to intricate colorful pieces of art.

Paper cutting is the making of a design using small scissors or a knife. Designs can be of animals, family scenes, nature, holiday themes, or even patterns. The designs can be symmetrical or free flowing.

The art of paper cutting has spread throughout the world. In Germany, it is called Scherenschnitte, meaning “scissors cuts”.  Scherenschnitte focuses on life’s progression of birth, schooling, courting, marriage, family and death.

Wycinanki is the Polish word for paper cut design. Wycinanki varies by region. For example the Kurpie region wycinaki’s are typically one color, while the Lowicz region are multicolored. The design is usually symmetrical with one fold. The popular motifs are of spruce trees, birds, and medallions.

In Mexico paper cutting is a folk art and is called Papel Picado meaning “perforated paper”. The string banner designs are cut from tissue paper using a guide and a chisel, cutting through up to 50 sheets of tissue paper at time. Color schemes are linked to specific festivals and the motifs usually include birds, foliage, crosses, words, skeletons and historic figures.

In Japan, Kirigami, is the variation of origami that includes cutting of the paper. “Kiru”- to cut, “gami”- paper. Kirigami is started with a folded base which is then cut; the cuts are then opened and flattened. Kirigami is symmetrical and is usually of snowflakes, animals, flowers, pop up cards and pentagrams.

The art of Silhouette cutting started in Europe, and it is the form of cutting outlines or portraits out of black paper. Also, in Europe, Collage is the technique where artwork is made from an assemblage of paper from magazines, newspapers, and photographs. The word collage is French “coller’ meaning to glue. From collage came Decoupage from the verb “découper”- to cut out. It is the process of gluing cut pictures onto an object with special paint effects. The cut papers are layered on top of each other to give the object more depth.

Paper cutting is a traditional art form for the Jewish people, connecting religious ceremonies and customs. Paper cuts were used for Ketubot or “marriage contracts”, Mizrahs, and ornaments for festive occasions. It is traditionally cut from paper or parchments with depictions of symbols and the use of words.

Sanjhi, is the traditional art form of paper stenciling. Peacocks, horses, cows, butterflies and trees are some of the popular motifs used. Sanjhi is known for it’s spiritual implications and for displaying the stories of Krishna. The stencils are used to decorate spaces during festival season, or are filled in with water colors and placed on temple floors.  

Paper Cut Art Presentation

I had the chance to present my paper cut art craft to a couple of high schoolers at Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, Maryland at the end of December. The class, Careers in the Visual Arts and their Practical Application is taught by Lonnie Woods, my cousin's husband.

The course teaches students about the broad range of career options available in the art and design industry while they learn skills and techniques that are necessary to obtain specific careers. The class is structured around in the class lectures and discussions, studio projects, fields trips, and guest speakers - this is where I come in.

I was nervous, cause high schoolers get bored easily and I am not great at making presentations. I had 45 minutes to speak about my experience in paper cutting, how I built my business, the skills I need for my craft and a demo of techniques for paper cutting.

I created a simple slideshow using Google slides and wrote out the key points I wanted to talk about. Since I transitioned into paper cutting art from fashion design I shared my start in fashion and the companies that I worked for first. Then, I gave a brief introduction to how I got into paper cutting - it was through fashion, afterwards I talked about the history of paper cutting, and lastly running my Etsy shop. All in all, it was a great presentation, the students were engaged, asked questions, like my art and seemed to enjoy my demo. My demo consisted of showing them how to cut straight lines, curved lines, text and I gave them templates of diamonds, snowflakes, and a Star Wars snowflake template I found online.

See slide show here

Pictures courtsey of Lonnie Woods

American Craft Council Fair in Baltimore

I will be attending my first large art fair in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22. I was invited by Annie Howe of Bmore-papercuts to attend this event with the American Craft Council. Annie is hosting a station and wanted to have other paper cut artist from the area to join her for this event. The craft fair will have over 650 exhibitors from all over the country showcasing their work ranging from contemporary jewelry, clothing, furniture, and home decor artists.

We will be participating in the 2015 Make Your Mark Inspiration Stations. At these station you will meet some of the artisans and watch or participate in the artist’s creative process.

Here is a list of who will be hosting a station:

BALTIMORE

Visit the “Make Your Mark” inspiration station and try your hand at the art of paper cutting. Experience different techniques inspired by Annie Howe of Bmore Papercuts in Baltimore and Janelle Washington from (WashingtonCuts) in Alexandria. Learn how paper cutting artists use simple tools, like small blades and scissors, to create complex and intricate images from paper.

Art Glass Center at Glen Echo

Artists from the Art Glass Center explain how glass is transformed in a kiln with temperature and time. Join in the discussion and handle samples of glasswork made with various techniques in a variety of styles.

Baltimore Area Turners

Accomplished woodturners will be making functional and artistic items out of ordinary wood, demonstrating their technique and process from start to finish.

Bowerbox Press

Experience the power of the printed word. Using a traditional letterpress and wooden type, you can add your voice to an ongoing poem started by Val Lucas of Bowerbox Press.

Sebastian Martorana

Using many of the same tools as Renaissance masters, Sebastian Martorana carries on the traditions of marble hand-carving. Join this present-day master in this centuries-old art.

Station North Tool Library

What’s the Station North Tool Library? Think of your neighborhood lending library, only with tools. Learn about their wide array of classes and check out a selection of tools – everything from simple hammers to portable table saws and palm sanders. If you’re feeling daring, pick one up and give it a try.

Towson University Metalsmithing and Jewelry

Towson University Metalsmithing + Jewelry program, in conjunction with the university’s Interdisciplinary Object Design program, presents a variety of processes in traditional and experimental metalsmithing and jewelry techniques, as well as digital technologies. Attendees can help develop the creative content for a thematic multimedia project.

Mark Melonas of Luke Works

Mark Melonas is an artist, designer, and craftsman with experience in many materials and a unique interest in concrete. With his team of skilled artisans at Luke Works, Melonas designs and creates one-of-a-kind furniture in wood, concrete, and metal. Get your hands dirty as Melonas demonstrates how to make functional objects out of concrete.

MAKE TRIBE

MAKE TRIBE is a series of community-driven craft workshops and skill-share suppers, produced in partner-ship with a variety of Baltimore businesses and artisans. Each day, MAKE TRIBE invites a different local maker to their show booth to demonstrate how their products are made and to share their skills.

Union Craft Brewing

The Union Craft Brewery makes award-winning ales and lagers. Stop by for a taste of what’s brewing right in the heart of Baltimore.

Baltimore Clayworks

Join Baltimore Clayworks as they host a free interactive workshop for ACC goers! In this hands-on experience participants will donate time and creativity to craft unique cups, mugs and tumblers that will be donated to support Community Arts programming at Baltimore Clayworks. Make cups, make friends, make a difference!

Weaver’s Guild of Greater Baltimore

Dedicated to the exploration of the fiber arts, The Weaver's Guild of Greater Baltimore joins with the ACC to host a 'Spinning Bloom of Looms.' We kindly extend our invitation to you to sit at the loom for a while and by 'throwing the shuttle,' add your own signature to a weaving-in-progress. Sit and weave or you can also felt a woolen pin to wear home.

The Baltimore Convention Center

One West Pratt Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

SHOW DATES AND HOURS

Friday, Feb. 20: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 21: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 22: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Advance Tickets are on sale and can be purchased here. Tickets will also be available the day of the show - one day passes are $16.00 and a 3 day pass is $34.00.

Friday after 5pm the tickets will be $5.00