WYCINANKI – TRADITIONAL
WYCINANKI – TRADITIONAL These papercuts are inspired by Wycinanki, the Polish folk art. They are created by first cutting out the intricate black supporting frame and internal black background features. It is important that this black frame and internal design elements are connected in such a way that it supports itself when lifted. All colored areas are then glued on top of this black support. That is why all of these elements; plants, birds and trees have a black outline. Once this is completed, and the image is supported in one piece, it can be transferred and attached to a white background paper.
WYCINANKI – BREAKING THE BORDER
In these papercuts I expanded the expressive possibilities of Wycinanki by departing from it’s traditional symmetry and having the subject break out the border.
PAINTINGS IN CUT PAPER
In these collages I have more to say and need a visually richer and more complex approach. Using similar tools… paint bushes and acrylic paint to create colored papers, pencil, scissors, knives and glue, I cut and layer shapes until I arrive at the visual harmony l am looking for. The indirectness and precision of this process appeals to me. It gives me time to get it right.

Bear in the Mountains
Cut Paper Collage
22” x 16”
A paper cut collage of a bear in the Cascade mountains surrounded by salmonberry and thistle. The technique of this artwork was informed by teaching screen printing and the cut paper stencil technique to middle school art students.
A paper cut collage of a bear in the Cascade mountains surrounded by salmonberry and thistle. The technique of this artwork was informed by teaching screen printing and the cut paper stencil technique to middle school art students.

Forbidden Drive
Cut Paper Collage
16” x 21.5”
A paper cut collage of cross country skiing along the Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia
A paper cut collage of cross country skiing along the Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia

The Jackpine
Cut Paper Collage
36” x 32”
This cut paper collage was inspired by time spent as a college student working on a longliner out of Sitka, Alaska. The otherworldliness of this image was how it felt to me, a city kid from Philadelphia in the wildness of the Gulf of Alaska. The original collage was made with a variety of papers, both store bought and hand painted. The numbers in the water refer to hours spent reading marine charts.
This cut paper collage was inspired by time spent as a college student working on a longliner out of Sitka, Alaska. The otherworldliness of this image was how it felt to me, a city kid from Philadelphia in the wildness of the Gulf of Alaska. The original collage was made with a variety of papers, both store bought and hand painted. The numbers in the water refer to hours spent reading marine charts.

Kelly Drive
Cut Paper Collage
22” x 16”
A paper cut collage of Philadelphians enjoying springtime along the Schuylkill River
A paper cut collage of Philadelphians enjoying springtime along the Schuylkill River
PAINTINGS
I paint traditionally when I decide that a given texture or subject is too complicated, time-consuming or contrived to do in cut paper.

Timber in the Pine Barrens
Gouache on Paper
22” x 17.5”
A gouache painting of Timber, my late canine companion in the New Jersey Pine Barrens where we used to go walking through the cranberry bogs.
A gouache painting of Timber, my late canine companion in the New Jersey Pine Barrens where we used to go walking through the cranberry bogs.