Magicians. Design Rapid Fire

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Justin Strickland
5 years ago
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Design Rapid Fire Magicians Witness six creative masters of paper art who can simply cut, fold and mould paper into a creative artwork Impressions:

There is the physical challenge of making sure you don t cut too far and accidentally cut something that you didn t intend to.

With regards to designing the piece, it can sometimes be a challenge to work with customers who are vague with the brief or even change the brief

I started a blog with these pieces, and people seemed to like them.

What advice would you give to If you are not confident designing your own illustrations, you can buy templates from paper-cut artists.

Use paper that isn t too thin because it may rip. Also not too thick, as it will be hard to cut through. I like the something from nothing element.

1 Design Rapid Fire Magicians Witness six creative masters of paper art who can simply cut, fold and mould paper into a creative artwork Impressions: Benoy Sebastian Julene Harrison 70 January 2017 The Ideal Home and Garden What challenges did you face while working with paper? There is the physical challenge of making sure you don t cut too far and accidentally cut something that you didn t intend to. You just have to stay in a place of concentration to keep control. With regards to designing the piece, it can sometimes be a challenge to work with customers who are vague with the brief or even change the brief half way. I got into paper-cutting by accident in I made the original piece as an inexpensive gift. Two more followed as wedding presents. I started a blog with these pieces, and people seemed to like them. That s when I began getting commissions, initially from friends and then from strangers. What advice would you give to If you are not confident designing your own illustrations, you can buy templates from paper-cut artists. There are some available on my site. Just print them onto the back of the paper you want to cut and you re ready to start. Use paper that isn t too thin because it may rip. Also not too thick, as it will be hard to cut through. I like the something from nothing element. Turning an inexpensive sheet of paper into a piece of artwork or a treasured gift. I also enjoy that it s nice and clean. No mess apart from a little bit of sweeping up afterwards. It s meditative too. I do feel very lucky to have made a career out of my artwork. I am currently working on two commercial pieces, one in the USA and the other in Germany, plus a number of papercuts for private individuals that have been commissioned as wedding/ anniversary/birthday gifts.

shape till you achieve the desired result.

merchandiser and freelance artist, Shri Sharad Kumar.

the robust and spontaneous material immediately, and have been experimenting with it

What makes this material particularly challenging is that it is truly its own master.

your creations? Each piece I have created so far has been handcrafted and unique.

What advice would you give to Respect the medium for its unique character and don t

2 shape till you achieve the desired result. It takes its own time, has its own evolution, before becoming what the artist wishes it to be. Bharti Pitre In 2002, I happened to attend a workshop conducted by a visual merchandiser and freelance artist, Shri Sharad Kumar. He opened my eyes to the traditional technique of using paper and I fell in love with the robust and spontaneous material immediately, and have been experimenting with it ever since. What challenges did you face while working with paper? What makes this material particularly challenging is that it is truly its own master. You have to build every piece layer by layer, observing change in Do you handcraft your creations? Each piece I have created so far has been handcrafted and unique. Being an illustrator, I can visualise the forms I build with ease. What advice would you give to Respect the medium for its unique character and don t try to change it. I would recommend that you stick to its originality, because no other medium can give you this finish naturally. I intend to continue working with paper from my studio in Pune, experimenting with different forms. There is so much more to explore. The Ideal Home and Garden January

foxing of the paper through age. It has a visible memory.

paper cut outs used in spiritual ceremonies. Paper lends itself to my concept of impermanence.

inhabit and the fragility of our life, dreams and ambitions.

crease or What challenges did you face while working with paper?

I have to find ways of strengthening the paper, without altering its aesthetic.

working with it. Explore different weights of paper.

3 foxing of the paper through age. It has a visible memory. Su Blackwell I began using paper after a trip to South East Asia where I came across simple paper cut outs used in spiritual ceremonies. Paper lends itself to my concept of impermanence. I use irreversible, destructive processes to reflect on the precariousness of the world we inhabit and the fragility of our life, dreams and ambitions. It is a fragile, accessible medium, which shows human interaction, whether that be a fold, crease or What challenges did you face while working with paper? The fragility of the material is challenging. I have to find ways of strengthening the paper, without altering its aesthetic. What advice would you give to Work with the material everyday, and develop your own way of working with it. Explore different weights of paper. There are so many different applications for papers, hand made paper, origami, paper sculpture, explore them and discover what works for you. To keep working with paper. My dream is to write and illustrate my own beautiful children picture book in the next few years. 72 January 2017 The Ideal Home and Garden

Shailendra Patel During my college days, I had a couple of assignments on packaging design, where I had to collect and study dissimilar packages and redesign them.

After that, I started adding more detail to my work and used paper cutting techniques in my art and illustrations.

Since I m self-taught, I faced many challenges in the initial days. Working on intricate cuts was difficult as I was using a normal paper cutter.

His videos have taught a lot, I spent time watching him work and learnt the process. It s still a long road but I feel I have made the right turn now.

4 Shailendra Patel During my college days, I had a couple of assignments on packaging design, where I had to collect and study dissimilar packages and redesign them. It was fun, and at the same time, there was some sort of satisfaction working with paper. After that, I started adding more detail to my work and used paper cutting techniques in my art and illustrations. Paper is familiar to everyone; we use it on a daily basis and handle it frequently. I find it accessible, simple and humble. What challenges did you face while working with paper? Since I m self-taught, I faced many challenges in the initial days. Working on intricate cuts was difficult as I was using a normal paper cutter. I had no idea about the tools that are required to bring precision to your work, until I came across the amazing paper artist Jeff Nishinaka. His videos have taught a lot, I spent time watching him work and learnt the process. It s still a long road but I feel I have made the right turn now. What advice would you give to I am too young to give advise. I am no sage of the art yet. However, I would like to add that if you love paper, and intend to use it as a medium then treat it with utmost respect. I hope to spend more time with my mentor (paper) in future. I also plan to conduct workshops. And, I would love to explore the backlit layered papercut and the book sculpture technique. The Ideal Home and Garden January

when working with non exclusive materials.

feel to them. They were very appealing to me, and I immediately felt I had found something I wanted to investigate further.

result. So, I like to find a new purpose for odd materials, it s a challenge.

Paper is an excellent, versatile material, but it is perishable. Sensitive to dust, touch, sunlight and humidity.

What advice would you give There s material everywhere that can be used. Books, magazines, newspapers, receipts, tissue paper, etc.

5 when working with non exclusive materials. Cecilia Levy I started experimenting with book pages and different paper techniques, ending up with thin, wobbly bowls with a delicate feel to them. They were very appealing to me, and I immediately felt I had found something I wanted to investigate further. I hate waste - when good materials are ruined, like when expensive drawing paper is going in the bin, because I m not happy with the result. So, I like to find a new purpose for odd materials, it s a challenge. My creativity flows more freely What challenges did you face while working with paper? Paper is an excellent, versatile material, but it is perishable. Sensitive to dust, touch, sunlight and humidity. As an artist you need to be very careful while handling this medium. What advice would you give There s material everywhere that can be used. Books, magazines, newspapers, receipts, tissue paper, etc. Paper is cheap and environmentfriendly. Experiment and allow yourself to fail, it is necessary to make progress. I am currently working on an artistic sculptural creation in the main entrance of the New Karolinska Solna (NKS), Sweden s largest-to-be new hospital situated in Stockholm. I am making a series of paper sculptures. My work will be installed in I am thrilled and honoured to be one of the artists selected. 74 January 2017 The Ideal Home and Garden

Bovey Lee I work with paper, xuan (rice paper) in particular, because it s the first art material I knew while learning Chinese calligraphy at the

As a material, xuan paper possesses exceptional properties, such as naturally mildew resistant, acid-free, and is made of renewable/sustainable

Its fragility and the slow process of creating from it changes the way you behave around it. In this aspect, cut paper is very powerful.

What challenges did you face while working with paper? Like every material and medium, paper has its limitations.

I use the computer and software to create templates - composite images that I print and cut with.

6 Bovey Lee I work with paper, xuan (rice paper) in particular, because it s the first art material I knew while learning Chinese calligraphy at the age of ten. Paper and I have a lot of memories and history together. As a material, xuan paper possesses exceptional properties, such as naturally mildew resistant, acid-free, and is made of renewable/sustainable materials. I am drawn to paper for its wide variety, creative possibilities and portability. Cut paper is beautiful and alluring to behold. Its fragility and the slow process of creating from it changes the way you behave around it. In this aspect, cut paper is very powerful. It is an art form that demands you to be still, breathe intently, think decisively and cut precisely. What challenges did you face while working with paper? Like every material and medium, paper has its limitations. I found a way to incorporate digital process in my hand cut paper work. I use the computer and software to create templates - composite images that I print and cut with. This allows editing with flexibility that balances beautifully. But, I insist that technology is a process aiding my final artwork and not the final product. What advice would you give aspiring paper artists? I would say choose a paper that you love. It has been my dream to create large scale installations and experiment with materials other than paper. I look forward to working towards those goals in the near future. The Ideal Home and Garden January

Lia Griffith Liagriffith.com

Lia Griffith Liagriffith.com Handcrafted lifestyle is what Lia Griffith knows best. With a background in graphic design, Lia is a daily DIYer, photographer, stylist, paper craft designer and big dreamer.