Flyer for Kick Start my Art

Well, the flyers are done! They'll be at a bunch of local starbucks and related businesses

Also, my piece is done, but I'm not unveiling it for a few more days because I need to get it custom framed. It's going to be real funky!

I hope some of you will be able to make it

Introducing: Branches

Branches

7x16 papercut
11x20 matted

Original hand-cut papercut
I was going for a funky, fresh take on the traditional tree silhouette. I imagine this piece above a fire place, desk, or a calming piece in a bedroom. I hate doing the usual so hopefully this is achieves the goal of abstract, yet recognizable.

On sale now on Etsy

Work Space revealed

Well, it's saturday morning, I'm bored, and we just got a new camera last night and I'm dying to take some cool photos.

SOoooo... I took a photo of my work space.


I'm in the middle of a new piece, It's a bunch of tree limbs at a funky angle cropped much wider than it is tall all just to look cool, abstract, and striking.

Otherwise, this is where i work. It's a cheap folding table from Target that is the perfect size for any of my three cutting mats, my computer, at least one cup of coffee at all times, and whatever random stuff that happens to accumulate there. As always there is a respectable pile of paper bits in various locations.

That's it. Take care

I am giving away THREE FREE $75 value anniversary Papercuts!!!

I am giving away tree free 8x10 papercuttings to celebrate the first anniverary of my marriage. The pieces are valued at $75 each and the listing for the custom papercut can be seen here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11802845

As some of you know, the first anniversary is the “paper” anniversary.

Here’s the details

I will be giving away THREE free 8x10 papercutting.

-You must nominate yourself or someone else in a comment on this blog post

-You or the nominee must be having you first wedding anniversary some time in 2008

-You must provide your wedding anniversary date

-You must tell me why you love the person you married or why the couple you nominate deserve the piece.

-I will need a fairly large image of you or the couple, preferably in a profile.

***The best three responses will each get a free piece***

I will be notifying/announcing the winners on Sunday

It's done!

Hi everyone,

I'm really happy to share this piece with you all. As stated earlier it's a papercutting of the tree Jen and I were married under exactly 51 weeks ago.


Here it is framed, and hanging in our bedroom. It's 34x18 so it's really huge!:)

Paper Anniversary

The first wedding anniversary is traditionally a gift made of paper. Well, our own one year wedding anniversary is June 16 so Joe has designed a completely awesome papercutting for it. He's working on it as we speak, actually. We were married in the Boston Public Garden and the design is branches of the tree we got married under. The frame size is 34" wide and 18" high, so it will take up a large piece of our wall, and we're going to hang it in our bedroom has the "headboard" to our bed. It's looking beautiful- I'm so excited! Will post a picture when it's finished!
Here's a picture of us last year under that big beautiful tree. My older brother is the one in the center performing the ceremony. This photo was taken by the best wedding photographer ever, Rachel Hadiashar at Merge Weddings.

3D!!!

Okay, you've seen the sketch, now here's the real thing:



I made a 3d version of the chandelier piece just to see how it would look. I really like it, but I need to work on the material since it's hard to cut because it's so thick.

I hope to make it in a variety of colors and materials since they are simple, easy to ship, and easy to put together. My intended use is some sort of simple centerpiece in smokey acryllic, or a decoration on a buffet for a fancy party or whatever. In Acryllic, it should be strong enough to put a plate on. In paper, you can attach things like actual crystals hanging below the "candels" or drape necklaces on it to make it sparkle. It's a lot of fun!

New store (?)

We're thinking about opening a new online store that would feature home furnishing type products designed with papercutting in mind. Pretty sure that this should be sold in a different place than the wall art Joe currently makes in order to give each a consistent "feel." But of course, they would still be sold on etsy.com.

The new items we'd make could include
-screen printed pillows
-acrylic laser cut table-top sculptures
-cardstock/acrylic mobiles
-adhesive vinyl wall art

They would probably be in solid bold colors, not only Joe's signature black and white. I think it'll be fun to do sleek and contemporary peices, and also to have some more tangible products that people can engage with. Joe's really going to enjoy learning to make silk screens and cut vinyl.
These are two sketches of potential acrylic/paper 3D table-top sculptures that Joe has designed. The designs would each be cut out several times and set up to fan around their centerline, creating a 3D version.

Inspiration: Wycinanki

I wanted to give an example of the international papercutting styles which inspire Joe's work. The Polish style of papercutting, Wycinanki, is a traditional folk art using hand cut paper layered to create vibrant and often colorful images. The first two images here are done by traditional Polish Papercutters, the last two are original pieces Joe created that were inspired by the traditional Polish style.Traditionally, these pieces were cut with sheep shears and often depict motifs such as roosters and floral patterns. The designs are often circular and were prominently displayed on furniture, in windows, or on barns.

Joe's interpretation of this traditional Polish style uses motifs inspired by the arts and crafts movement. He also use a circular design, and has experimented with layered colored paper. The following piece, Artichoke, is available hereThis modern American interpretation is still reminiscent of the Polish Wycinanki, but the use of different motifs and color palettes identifies it as a unique tradition. His interpretation featured below, depicts peacocks and is available here

Custom Wedding and Anniversary Papercutting

Okay, June is wedding BONANZA month (we should know) so I wanted to make something for all of us crazy people who decide to join the masses (and pick a warm month) for the BIG DAY.

Ever notice I use parenthecies a lot?

Anyway, I have listed on etsy a new custom piece where I will design a special piece to celebrate your wedding. The piece will use either a traditional background (similar to Scherenschnitte or Wycinanki papercutting designs) or a sillhouette, or even an image of your wedding location (Note the bridge from the Public Garden in Boston where Jen and I got married last year). I will also incorporate your names, anniversary date, or a combination of two, or not---whatever you want, it's a custom piece!!!

ALSO, did you know that the your first anniversary is the "Paper" anniversary? Well, custom original hand-cut papercuts make a beautiful, heart-felt, original artwork gift that you know nobody has seen before or thought of themselves. Let everyone know!
We're designing a large piece for our first aniversary:) It's going to be awsome and I'll share it and all the symbolism behind it with y'all when it's done.