My work on this project is about rediscovery of self. It is about relationships and interconnectedness.

In paper cutting pieces of paper are subtracted and added as a way to re-experience the identity of paper.  The paper itself does not change, I do not burn it or shred it or mutilate it, instead I make creative changes that alter the way the audience perceives the paper. Paper cutting is a medium that lends itself to story telling in the way the images come out of the paper itself. My work is three- dimensional, and lifted up its like lace- every part of it is connected. This relates to the theme of my work, identity formation.  Sometimes we get so busy driving around in our cars, talking on our cellphones, working on our computers, we forget who we really are.  We are part of our surroundings, we are connected to everyone we come in contact with, they shape us, and we are shaped by them.

In this medium of paper cutting I am constantly reminded that mistakes happen. I draw my original sketch and then I transfer it onto black or white paper, usually through tracing, and I cut it out.  It’s different than drawing, its different than painting, its different than sculpture.  By cutting into paper, you make mistakes and there is nothing you can do about it.  It’s a really liberating feeling for me.  I can’t erase it, I can’t paint over it. I can only just accept it, and move forward in my work.  This “acceptance” is an important part of the identity formation process that occurs within the narrative of the book I wrote and illustrated. Hats Off To Charli tells the adventure of a little girl in an unfamiliar city that ultimately ends in a revelation of self-discovery. Identities are formed much like paper cuts through a process of decision-making and acceptance.  However, instead of physical manipulation as is the case with paper cuts; We are the product of our experiences. Our experiences shape our relationships to others and the way we perceive ourselves.  Deep within each of us there is this childhood memory of self-confidence that is so beautiful and raw, but it gets buried with all the things one has to do in their daily life. It gets so obscured. By making these pictures I’m asking the viewer to just take a moment to remember who they are, why they are here, in this place with these people.    

The narrative that occurs within my book is one that relates to me as the creator of the book, as an artist.  As Charli’s identity forms over time she finds herself wearing various “hats” which serve as symbols of identity within the story. As an artist and as an author I found myself trying on various “hats” as I personally went through a process of self-discovery, developing the narrative and illustrations of my book while coming to terms with my style of storytelling.

New York designer David Stark has a quote that appropriately sums up the theme of my work with this project, “Life is made up of a series of stories, you are an important part of mine.” This artistic process has been made up of countless decisions.  I have explained here certain aspects of the paper cutting process but that is merely the tip of the iceberg of creative decisions I have made in this project.  Each decision is related to and effects other decisions.  As an artist I had to make choices about how I would illustrate, whether I would use color or just black and white, what kind of paper I wanted to use, the size of my illustrations, the composition, etc.  Each of these decisions effects the way the illustration appears to the viewer, it affects my relationship to the viewer, and what I am communicating to them.  After trying on many different hats, Charli finds that there is really only one hat that is perfect for her, the one she has had all along.  I have discovered the interconnectedness involved with the book making process, and I am excited to move forward in my art with this knowledge.