Serendipity, fate and my Mom led me to paper cutting. Out of work (as a middle school mathematics teacher) because of illness, I filled my time by cutting simple designs from sheets of paper. At that time I had no idea that this new pastime was a true and historied art form.

Since those naive beginnings in 1972, I have studied the cultural traditions of cut paper as folk art, fine art and illustrative art around the world. While they have inspired me, I have created a distinct personal style that continues to evolve as I grow as an artist.

The technique I started with and that still fascinates me is the cut-from-one-piece style. Making sure that every part of the design connects somewhere so the entire design is one piece of paper gives me an added challenge when designing a cutting. My most recent favorite is a piece I did for my nephew, at his Princeton graduation. In it I tried to "tell his story" and illustrate that he is who he is because of all his experiences connected over time.

The other technique is the more spontaneous multi-colored collage style that utilizes cut and torn papers to present a vibrant and contemporary look. Matisse found the answer to his artistic search for form and color in his papercuts. Children's book illustrators love this colorful technique as well.
 

My work has been featured in many publications including Colonial Homes, Victoria, Early American Life, Shoreline Women, and Humane Education. I have been fortunate to exhibit my originals in galleries around the USA and invited to teach in several states. My commissioned work has included papercuttings and commercial artwork for a number of local and national entities.