Why Paper?

Paper…the most common of materials.

I first started to love paper when I was a little girl. I always wanted art supplies when I was little, always wanting to draw or paint, but for some reason there never seemed to be enough paper.

I remember one Christmas when I got an easel and a big thick pad of paper. Just thinking about it now, if I close my eyes, I can remember the thought of "I can't wait to get some paint on that BIG paper. This is going to be great!".

And it was great….till that tablet was finished. I was then back to scrounging around for blank sheets, usually settling for the blank side my dad's office stationary. Not the most satisfying, but, in a pinch, it worked.

Then there were the experiences of going to my local parish grade school. You would think that paper was the most precious commodity known to man. Feeling almost afraid to start to make a line, add some paint…what if you made a mistake…too bad…no more paper for you. Just deal with it. Actually not the worst lesson in the world and I did LOVE art class when I was in school. It was the class of possibilities, the place I really belonged!

My high school art teacher was just wonderful! She was as generous with paper and supplies as she was with encouragement. It was here that I began to really learn and understand about the differences in the various papers that artists used. Why it was important to use 100% rag paper and what that even meant. And in high school, finally, there was no limit to the number of sheets of paper I could use!

Art School!!! The very best of times. By this point I was buying my own paper, so there were not unlimited supplies. Even so, I was able to get myself a whole big mass of paper. And I did…Drawing paper, pastel paper, rice paper, printmaking paper, watercolor paper, rough surface, smooth surface…opaque, transparent,  regular size, double elephant…the list is endless! What a treasure. I am actually getting excited just writing about this right now…and there is not a line drawn yet! This is just paper.

Playing, working with paper and continuing to love most everything about it. When you sit down to work, it is just you, your imagination, and the most basic of supplies. A knife, some scissors, some glue and perhaps some tape and your paper.

What a wonderful world!

Today in my studio that translates into paper flowers, but there are limitless possibilities! With that in mind, I'd like to recommend you have a look at the paper sculpture of Anna-Wili Highfield.  Her interpretations of animals, done in paper, are magnificent.

Let me know what you think.

Oh yes, and go out and make today your best day ever!

Michele

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Looking forward to sharing NEW ideas with you about art and my journey back to doing art. flowers and who knows what else? For the last 30 years Michele has been designing beautiful flower arrangements for all kinds of people, from brides to prom goers, from dining rooms to boardrooms. Trained as a fine artist , Michele brought her unique vision to the art of Floral design. Designing flowers in a more relaxed,"unfloristy" way was always the goal when working for private clients.

Michele continues to do artwork , including paper sculpture (this is new!) and designing various products from table linens to greeting cards to holiday decorations, She continues to have a distinctive and diverse viewpoint she brings to her work. One of Michele's goals is to help people feel confidence and joy, enjoy art, enjoy flowers and enjoy the art of the everyday.

Tagged as: artwork, drawing, flower sculpture, paper, paper ornaments, paper sculpture, sculpture