As an artist, I enjoy capturing a moment in time to highlight the joy in simple spaces. We take many everyday moments for granted: We barely take notice of a fluttering butterfly, a ladybug sitting on a branch, or a little bunny hiding among the leaves and flowers. These instances can bring us happiness if we take the time to slow down enough to notice them. These are the moments I want to capture in my art. And sometimes, I may even add the element of a hidden object game to my pieces. This serves as an interactive way for families to explore my art together.

I have always enjoyed researching my subject matter before I begin the sketching process. Researching the animals I paper sculpt, including learning about their habitats, is an important step to make my final art pieces as realistic as possible. I want to show what each animal needs to survive — where they live, what their habitat looks like and why we need to preserve our environment to help these animals survive and thrive. 

After researching my subject matter, I draw up quick thumbnail pencil sketches. These sketches help me work on the pose, composition, and the layout of the piece. When I have a rough thumbnail sketch that I like, I then draw a detailed sketch at the actual size of the finished piece. 

Next, if I’m creating an animal out of paper, I study the structure of the animal. Then I start to construct the form of the animal’s body using only paper and adhesive. After the animal’s body is sculpted, it is time to add finely cut pieces of fur, all made out of paper, to their bodies. This is the longest part of the entire paper sculpture process. It’s a very tedious process and it can take days to weeks, depending on the size of the animal. I need to make certain the fur is going in the correct direction and that it is at the correct length.

After the fur, it’s time to add the animal’s facial features. The nose, mouth, and eyes are all hand-sculpted using paper before I give them their color using watercolor and gouache paint. Oftentimes, I handmake multiple eyes until I am able to get two that appear exact in size and shape and the correct size for the animal’s face. Adding these details to the animal really starts to bring out their character.  

Next, I paint the creature’s furry paper coat to bring the animal to life. Their environments are created to place the animals within their habitats. Leaves, twigs, dirt, acorns, flowers, and maybe even a few little ladybugs or a butterfly may fill the scene as well.

I love the challenge of creating detailed, three-dimensional pieces, whether it is the furry coat of a corgi or a little ant marching across the stem of a flower. My goal is to surprise viewers with a final paper sculpture that is so realistic, they can’t believe it’s only made out of paper and paint.

I will continue to create and explore my three-dimensional paper sculpture techniques. This includes exploring various sizes, from miniatures to large-scale pieces. My signature style is realistic but with a whimsical flair, concentrating on furry animals. I enjoy creating a scene with extra fun hidden elements included for those who look carefully, creating interactive art.