This past August I began exploring the art of paper design as a way to create a picturebook. At first, I focused on technique not sure what story I wanted to tell, but as I worked, it became clear how the act of paper cutting, a process of formation, might also serve as an underlying theme for my story.

In paper cutting, pieces of paper are subtracted and added as a way to physically transform the identity of the material. This same theme of identity formation occurs within the narrative of my book. A little girl named Charli goes on an adventture in an unfamiliar city that ultimately ends in a revelation of self-discovery. Identity is formed much like paper cuts through a process of transformation. However instead of physical manipulation, we are the product of our experiences. Where we come from, the people we know, and all of our life circumstances form us into unique individuals. As Charli's identity solidifies over time she finds herself wearing various "hats" which serve as symbols of identity within the story. As an artist I found myself trying on various "hats" as I went through a process of self-discovery, developing the narrative and illustrations of my book while coming to terms with my style of storytelling. I learn more about Charli, paper cutting, and myself all the time and I am not yet finished with my own adventure. One of the most important lessons I have learned from my work thus far is that an identity cannot simply be dreamed up overnight; instead, it must be cut and shaped over time. The self is not a discovery, but a creation.

The works presented in this exhibition are a sampling of illustrations ultimately meant to be part of a children's picturebook.