Super Eco

Photo credit: Bubbels, SXC

I used to amuse myself and amaze (I thought) my friends by cutting paper dolls, my scissors snick-snicking tiny snips until my dozen or so dolls accordianed down in a single, hand-linked cascade. Pretty good, I thought. Amazing.

Until I saw what artist Peter Calleson does. Not content to create something and leave the cutout outline behind, for him the cutout becomes part of the art itself, a skeleton falling out of a bare-branched winter tree, or a snail walking within the borders of a human footprint.

It may be the highest form of repurposing, this taking of something commonplace—like ordinary copy paper, scissors, and glue—and creating art that astounds and delights. It kind of makes my efforts with a glue stick (non-toxic, of course) and colored tissue paper seem paltry by comparison, but on the other hand it also shows the potential within us, this ability to see beyond the simple lines and confines of a rectangular piece of paper.

Like paper art? One form of paper cutting is called Scherenschnitte, popular with the Pennsylvania Dutch. Here's a beautiful example. Papercutting is also a Chinese tradition.

Not strictly made of paper (she also includes Tyvek, aluminum, and stainless steel), artist Béatrice Coron makes some stunning pieces.

I can tell you're still amazed about my paper doll making ability, and you want to try it yourself. Or maybe your kids do. No problem. It's really easy; here's all you need to know (including patterns, what more can you ask for?). [Tip: recycle waste paper from your home office for this project!]  Happy cutting!