Explore the Eto • 干支 - the Japanese term for the Chinese Zodiac and its animals. This collection honors the traditional symbols of the new year (plum blossoms, bamboo, pine trees, etc.) alongside the animals themselves. At the same time, it seeks to expand on that imagery, exploring the physical and the immaterial, to discover the true nature of living things. Along the way we'll touch on concepts of transformation, connection to nature, physical reality derived from the ideal, and the pure beauty of the spirit. Each piece engages the viewer with a melding of intricate hand-cut shapes and forms with the lush color and tangible textures of washi and chiyogami papers. Ideal for all collectors whose love of nature is equal to their love of creativity.
Come, explore these secret worlds. Here there be monsters. Here there be wonders. Here there be strange and astonishing things. Here In these shaded forests, submerged in these seas, perched upon these mountaintops there be transformations and metamorphosis. Here, spirit and flesh, the physical and the ephemeral come together. Here the glories of nature mingle with the mysteries of a world yet to be explained. Perfect for those art lovers who wish to bring strange and wondrous beauty into their space; each piece is cut and assembled by hand from a selection of gorgeous handmade papers to embrace the viewer with vibrant colors and deep, calming texture.
Collaborating with collectors to concept and create un-canny compositions.
There are times when an art collector loves a style and a papery technique, but can't find quite the right fit for their space. Other times, they might be looking for the ideal companion piece(s) to keep their favorite cut paper artwork company. If this sounds like you, drop me a line with your ideas to collaborate on.
Imposing and dynamic natural forces, concepts, and emotions coalesce into anthropomorphic form in these Portraits of the Unreal. Inspired in part by classical European portraiture, these works explore the contemplative moments of often-tempestuous entities. Intricately hand-cut papers, deeply textural washi and chiyogami, and rich colors bring a sense of calm and regality to any space. Ideal for all who appreciate old world charm crossbred with contemporary art concepts, by way of an exploration of the mysteries of the natural world.
Yōkai are the shambling, skulking creatures of Japanese folklore. Beasts, tricksters, and seductive terrors. Unfathomable horrors and ridiculous spirits. They prowl the forest deep, lurk in the sky above, skitter in the dark, emerge from the raging sea. One may even be haunting the hidden corners of your bath.
Some embody the horrors of the unknown darkness. Some are talismans and shields against evil, protectors of the human race. Others simply want to be left alone.
Their stories are our stories; our fears, our wonderment, our hopes. They reflect contemporary anxieties and dilemmas just as eerily as they did those of the past. They are the capriciousness of nature. They are the tales we tell our children to make them behave, the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of our creeping fear of those things shuffling just out of sight. They are our hope for grace from a mysterious world. They are the things we dread lurk inside our hearts. For the collector unafraid to embrace the dark, the weird, and the weirdly hopeful, there are Yōkai.
Kihagaki 「木ハガキ」literally translates as wooden postcards. They have served as a foundation for experiments with technique, themes, concepts, textures and color - many of which have been expanded on in larger pieces. They are artistic conversation starters. Perfect for collectors who want to start small, and anyone who loves art with a sense of play and discovery. Find the topic and theme that sparks your imagination. Appreciate the intricacy of the cuts, the serene beauty of the vibrant and textured washi and chiyogami papers.
