Monday, January 2, 2012

Scherenschnitte (paper cutting)


I worked on some art today and it felt so good to get this accomplished. I have had this in my mind for approximately 3 months, back when my payroll clerk left to take another job. She had a poem hung up in her office called "Dirt Roads" by Paul Harvey. When she was cleaning her office she almost threw it away because it was just printed out on several pieces of paper and had become dirty and torn. I rescued it and created this frame to show it off. I plan to give it to her as a late Christmas present.

I used paper cutting because I think it evokes a place in time when things were simpler, just like Dirt Roads. It's a rather long poem so I did it in several parts.I filled in some leaf/tree forms on the sides to help cover where two pieces of paper meet.
I cut this frame down from a 20"x30" poster frame. The edges are plastic so can be cut with a sharp blade. I picked a size of 12" x 30" because my black paper comes in 12" x 12" sheets. In hindsight I should have done 11" x 30" because paper is 11" wide. I ended up having to piece white paper on all the edges. Hopefully it's not too noticeable!

9 comments:

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

This is lovely. Are you giving it to her or keeping it? what cool frame.

A Lady's Life said...

It's Gorgeous!! Well done.!

Caroline said...

Happy New Year! This is really beautiful - such patience!

marianne said...

Wow Patty, a masterpiece of your cutting art!
What a great gift!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

This is fantastic. I didn't notice the edges at all. What a thoughtful gift. This will be something she will treasure for a long time.

Kellie said...

I love that! Awesome work!!!

Teri said...

Oh wow, it's been a long time since you have done this type of work. Just beautiful.
Happy New Year also.

Unknown said...

That is beautiful! Do you scissors or an x-acto knife? I love the black on white ... It truly looks like the folk art ... I doubt many people do those anymore. Amazing :)

Marj said...

This is beautiful! Lots of talent there, Patti. I can't even imagine how this is done. Will need to look it up on Google :-)
You are creative in so many ways.
keep it up! (for our enjoyment :-)