Tag: paper

  • Delicate Gestures: Hiromi Moneyhun

    Delicate Gestures: Hiromi Moneyhun

    Our modern society has such a fascination with speed and we are constantly feeding our need for it with faster internet, cars, food, you name it.  But once upon a time, most cultures valued things done with meticulousness and care.  Florida based Japanese artist Hiromi Moneyhun hand constructs elaborate and delicate paper cuts using a methodical and time consuming process, hearkening back to the careful artistry and precision long cherished in the Japanese culture.

    Hiromi Moneyhun Hiromi Moneyhun Hiromi Moneyhun Hiromi Moneyhun

    OIRAN Waterfall  upclose Hiromi Moneyhun

    Drawing upon characters synonymous in traditional Japanese culture for their artful deftness such as the geisha and oiranMoneyhun carefully drafts these complex paper-cuts first as line drawings.  It is only after the initial drawing is complete that she begins the slow, methodical process of cutting around the lines to create sculptural drawings that delicately float, an interesting juxtaposition to their bold lines and composition.

    To see more of Hiromi Moneyhun‘s work, please visit her website.

    Artist found via Florida Mining.  First image via Aethetica Magazine, all other images via the artist.

  • Missing Pieces: Lisa Hochstein

    Missing Pieces: Lisa Hochstein

    During our time in Joshua Tree, every time we’ve driven to San Diego or made the trek “down the hill” into Palm Springs, we’ve experienced the wind tunnel that exists in the San Gorgonio Mountain Pass, where over 4000 windmills provide energy to Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.  When I saw the latest collage series by Lisa Hochstein, Missing Pieces, the shapes seem to echo the turbines and the torn papers reminded me of wind’s inherent power.

    Missing Pieces by Lisa Hochstein
    Missing Pieces 2012-5, salvaged paper, 12×16
    Missing Pieces 2012-3 by Lisa Hochstein
    Missing Pieces 2012-3, salvaged paper, 12×16

    Whether wind and its harnessing machines were an influence to the artist, I do not know.  But I can’t help but see in the grid lines an aerial view looking down onto the giant arms of these energy producers as they spin, some barely moving others cycling at a steady pace.

    Missing Pieces 2012-6 by Lisa Hochstein
    Missing Pieces 2012-6, salvaged paper, 12×16
    Missing Pieces 2012-1 by Lisa Hochstein
    Missing Pieces 2012-1, salvaged paper, 12×16

    In the shredded pages that make up these collages, I see the destructive nature of the desert’s blasts of air.  All over, we’ve seen evidence of wind wreaking havoc across the landscape, even in our own backyard here in Joshua Tree.

    Missing Pieces 2012-2 by Lisa Hochstein
    Missing Pieces 2012-2, salvaged paper, 12×16

    That’s what I see in Lisa Hochstein’s work.  What do your eyes see?  If you’d like to check out more of this artist’s work, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Friday Design Finds: Sealed With a Kiss

    You may remember Kaitlyn, who Guest Foraged for me last year.. Well, did you know that in addition to writing her blog isavirtue, she is a wonderfully talented stationery designer?  With Valentine’s Day coming upon us fast, wouldn’t you love to send and receive an artsy valentine?  Kaitlyn’s designs, available in her Etsy shop are simple, sweet, a bit cheeky and a whole lotta fun.  Just as love should be.

    Lipstick Kiss envelope
    Lipstick Kiss envelope
    SWAK envelopes
    SWAK envelopes
    XOXO Hugs and Kisses envelopes
    XOXO Hugs and Kisses envelopes
    I Love You writing paper by isavirtue
    I Love You writing paper
    Anatomical Heart envelope
    Anatomical Heart envelope
    Sinful writing paper
    Sinful writing paper

    Don’t these make you want to sit down and write a love letter?  You can find these and more in Kaitlyn’s Etsy shop, isavirtue.  And don’t forget to seal it with a kiss. 😉

    All images via isavirtue on Etsy.

  • Flights of Fancy: Diana Beltran Herrera

    Flights of Fancy: Diana Beltran Herrera

    I’ve told you before about my visions of becoming a crazy bird watcher.  While Mr. Forager loves to lookout for ospreys, hawks and other large birds of prey, my own preference is for birds of smaller varieties.  Spotting a hummingbird is especially thrilling!  Their diminutive size and speed make their sudden appearance fascinating.  Colombian artist Diana Beltran Herrera recreates their flights of fancy in her paper sculptures.

    While we were recently camping in Glacier National Park, we awoke one morning to what sounded like tiny jets buzzing above the roof of our tent.  The hummingbirds were enjoying a frolic among the lupine surrounding our campsite.

    Herrera’s birds seem to come alive as they search for nectar among paper sculpted flowers.  You can practically hear the buzz of their wings as they keep themselves suspended mid-air.

    So what do you think?  Has my slight ornithological obsession completely taken hold?  I think the only cure is to just seek out more fowl, both of the living and artistic variety. 😉 To see more of Diana Beltran Herrera’s work, please visit her website.

    Artist found via My Modern Metropolis.  All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Artsy on Escape Into Life: Elly MacKay

    Like attracts like.  So it’s no surprise that many times, I find great artists by way of other great artists!  Today’s Escape Into Life artist, Elly MacKay is just such a case– thanks to Dolan Geiman for introducing me to such lovely work!

    They Tied Their Hopes to a String by Elly MacKay

    Elly MacKay on Escape Into Life

  • Friday Faves:  Pretty Paper

    Friday Faves: Pretty Paper

    Remember cutting out paper snowflakes in elementary school?  These Friday Faves have elevated paper cut-outs to the ultimate artistic level.  You know, school supplies are on sale right now.. let these artists inspire you to create your own stationary masterpieces!

    Feather Mountain by Lena Wolff and Jaime Knight, paper collage with iridescent oil stick, varnish, mica and hole punch
    Icosahedron II by Richard Sweeney, paper and adhesive
    Night Mare by Annawili Highfield, Ink, archival cotton paper, cotton thread, copper pipe, timber block
    Dissociations by Karen Margolis, abaca paper

    Be sure to check out each artist’s website for more amazing paper creations!  Have a great weekend, Artsies!

    1.  Lena Wolff and Jaime Knight 

    2.  Richard Sweeney 

    3.  Annawili Highfield 

    4.  Karen Margolis 

    Featured image is Continuum by Karen Margolis.  All images are courtesy of the artists’ websites.