The design and craft world has for some time now been understandably obsessed with the beautiful art of paper cutting, including one of our designers, Emily, so we thought we would peek into the paper cutters world and ask her about her passion for paper, her desire for popping out paper creations in her free time and some of the paper artists that inspire her.
Emily:
"I started making paper cuts a few years ago by designing and making one as a present for my former design manager who got married in Vegas. I've always been hands on, crafty and keen to create pretty things, but that first one really gave me the bug. I've been making them for friends and family as presents and as commissions ever since, I even have a shop on Etsy."
"The reason I love paper so much as a medium is because it is such a simple material, in abundance in our everyday lives, but it can be manipulated and given a different purpose in life so easily. It has the potential to become whatever you want it to be.
I admit the process of paper cutting is painstakingly slow and at times frustrating (especially when you slip with the knife, cut off a piece intrinsic to the design and have to start again), but the end result is totally worth it. I love seeing an image slowly appearing out of the blank sheet of paper, cut by cut, holding it up every now and then as I go to see how the light and the shadows work with it. I find it quite therapeutic and I feel a great sense of achievement when it's finished.
Because of the growing importance of digital within modern society, some people believe paper is a dying art form, but there has been a resurgence in the last few years with artists exploring this tactile medium more and more in different ways. There is something really special about seeing a paper cut, knowing that so much time and effort would have gone into it and there are so many incredibly talented paper artists out there, here are some of my favourites..."
The talented Brittney Lee creates beautiful fantasy paper illustrations with the use of various paper techniques including paper cutting, quilling and layering to add more depth.
Julene Harrison's paper cuts are elegant typographic designs often mixed with foliage and natural patterns and have caught the eye of big clients from publishers to advertising.
You will have probably seen some of Kate Forrester's paper cut illustrations on passing McDonalds trucks over the last few months. Working with advertising agency Leo Burnett her designs form whimsical, surreal, paper landscapes that reinforce the brands ethical ACB campaign.
You can check out more of their lovely work here:
(and Emily's Etsy shop) etsy.com/shop/ThePapercutParade
