A Reflective Journal – Papercuts From Sketch to Finish
When the Coronavirus pandemic gripped the world for another year in 2022, I decided that I would record some daily thoughts. I would include sketches, ideas for artworks, progress photos of current art projects, general musings of the events of the day as well as Birthdays and bin-days.
A Reflective Journal: Wildflower Sketchbook Study – Irena Boobyer
Time after time I have been inspired by my home and garden. I love the patterns and texture of fabric, as well as those of plants and foliage. Whatever the season, I have usually found inspiration for a range of art-making techniques, including observational drawing, pattern and mark-making, sketching, print and collage. As a paper-cutter, many of these forms the basis for papercuts.
Looking back at my most recent diary (March/May 2024) I can share the journey of my latest art-adventure, from idea to exhibition. These entries tell my story in a way that I hope resonates with other artists. Ideas don’t occur fully formed, sometimes they evolve over a period ….
From Sketch ……
Here are the beginnings of a design idea that evolved into a set of three papercuts:
A Reflective Journal: A Papercutting Journey – Irena Boobyer
At the beginning of April I had been looking at fabric samples for a curtain project. Although I felt that I had seen enough chintz and floral to last a lifetime, the florals seeped into my brain because I found myself experimenting with wildflower sketches. Daily, fresh blooms were emerging in our wildflower corner of the garden, hints of yellows and purples glimmering through the spring foliage. My sketchbook became the place for exploring colour, composition and design.
I find A5 the ideal size for thinking up ideas. I then have something tangible to work up into a larger study. As I was working on the A5 sketch I was also completing an A3 study based on my watercolour and ink sketchbook page. I wanted to see what it would look like on a larger scale. I also began wondering what would happen if I removed some of the background and created a papercut?
A Reflective Journal: Papercut Detail – Irena Boobyer
By the middle of April I was getting in a more of an experimental mode. There was a bit of an idea emerging but I suspected there was still a long way to go. It was time to develop the A3 design. I am a great fan of Khadi paper, it is so soft and pliable to work with, I felt it could turn out to be perfect for my needs. To this end I have applied coloured inks and clingfilm to an A3 sheet and eagerly await the results.
“… I have applied coloured inks and clingfilm to an A3 sheet of Khadi paper (a favourite because it is wonderfully absorbent) and will see what the results is like tomorrow.”
As the time went on the papercuts began slowly to take shape. I used scissors to cut out the small shapes so the final effect would not be noticeable for a while yet.
“This morning, I was in the studio with my scissors and my papercut. I had about two hours working on this today and feel that progress is at last being made.”
A Reflective Journal: A Papercutting Journey – Irena Boobyer
It is nearing the end of May. My three papercuts are complete and will be entered into an exhibition at the end of the month. I still need to price and title them, make up the labels, and get them framed, definitely the job to do tomorrow first thing, as I haven’t yet filled in the Exhibition entry form!
…… To Finish
These Papercuts will be exhibited in the Creatives, Sou’ Sou’ West Gallery (Little Gallery)
Joyous Iris
Wildflower Dreams
Springtime Hedgerow