tIMEFRAME + ROLES
8 WEEKS, SOLO PROJECT: ART DIRECTION, LAYOUT
OVERVIEW
This 40" x 60" piece is comprised of 15 cut paper panels mounted on canvas. Although not a traditional design project, this piece offers a window into my creative process and artistic inclinations.
BACKGROUND
Blue Island is the culmination of several years of experimentation with cut paper collages. While growing up, I was fascinated by traditional Japanese Kirigami (cut paper artwork) and have been developing my skills on small pieces for years. This was my first attempt working at a larger scale.
PROCESS
Like all creative endeavors, this one mutated during the process. I started with six panels of black paper and began by sketching out a few designs in pencil to create reference points for the larger design. As the scale of the project grew, I added more paper panels, eventually settling on 15 segments ranging from 6" x 6" to 12" x 12". Next, I began cutting the panels—and realizing how many #11 X-acto blades would be required! After finishing the cutting, I started to experiment with a range of colorful background papers until I settled on the final blue and tan palette. Finally, I used 3M Super 77 spray adhesive to mount the paper panels on the painted canvas. Note to future self: not all papers are equally responsive to glue—use a test area first!
MATERIALS
Over the course of this project I experimented with dozens of handmade papers, including imports from Japan, Nepal, and Thailand. For the black stencils, I used Canson Mi-Tientes 98lb drawing sheets (usually around 19” x 25” at full size). Perhaps the most interesting materials were Thai mulberry papers that integrate irregularly-sized banana leaf fibers for a layered effect.
COLOR
At the outset of the project, I had no idea what colors would be included in the final palette, except for the black of the stencils. As I completed more segments, I tried combinations of reds, greens and yellows behind the main “island” portion, but was ultimately unsatisfied. I finally settled on blue and tan—mostly due to the range of available blue papers at Blick Art. Looking back at the finished project, I can't imagine it any other way.
CONCLUSION
While not a traditional design project, Blue Island serves as a window into my creative process, attention to detail, and capacity to learn new skills. More importantly, it seems like a perfect metaphor for any creative endeavor: moving from loose ideation to concrete execution along a series of setbacks and "aha" moments.
