First Cut

This past Christmas one of my best friends bought me this book. Thanks to him and this book, I feel inspired to take my work to another level. There are many artists in this book that have inspired me. One that has stood out the most is Elsa Mora. Her work is amazing. She works in many different mediums and all of her work has a delicate feel to them that I am very attracted to.

Nature

Deer

Yesterday I finally started working with the laser cutter. It is by far my favorite new toy. As much as I feel like it is cheating, I also think that it is a tool I should take advantage of while I have it. I plan on doing many more images cut from paper. Some I plan to do by hand and others with the laser cutter, all depending on the image.

I am really excited about all of the negative pieces that were cut out of the paper. I’m not sure what I am going to do with them yet but I’m looking forward to exploring.

Even though a large portion of the work was done by the laser cutter, I still can’t help but to get in there and do some work by hand. I have done some stippling in the heart to create some line work, as well as make more cuts where I felt needed.

There is still more work to be done on this piece. I am trying to figure out what is going to be behind the cut (if anything) and  how I’m going to hang it.

And a big thanks to Jeff Aldridge for helping get this ball rolling!

Starting Fresh

What better day to start this blog than a day that I remember the heros that inspire me on a daily basis. Three months ago I lost my best friend, the man I was truly in love with, my hero.
Today I dedicate the work that I do to the heros that I love. You are always with me in everything that I do. Thank you for everything you have done for not only me, but also our country. I love you.

In a letter written to my grandma from my grandpa I found this poem in a newspaper clipping he had enclosed. It read:

Dreaming
I’m sitting here just dreaming of the things I love best,
And because you’re you my darling, you are way above the rest,
I can dream of the things I’ve had, dear, or the things I’ve wanted so much,
But compared to the dreams I have of you, the others never touch.
I dream of the days spent together, the days we had fun or fights
I dream of the mornings and afternoons, and ever so much of the nights.
I dream of the time that we met dear, the hour, the day, the year
The time spent apart, though in our hearts we’re not apart, we’re near.
So all of the time that I dream dear, my thoughts are with you
And no matter how tired or miserable, you keep me from feeling blue,
Then I talk in my dreams,to you, darling, and my troubles fade away,
And in their place, I see your face, as I have on many a day.
So tonight as I dream, I’ll dream my best, I’ll dream of the one I adore.
And dream of the day we’ll say Good Morning, as we have so often before.

-Riccelli and Pattison

As I read these letters, not only will I hear my grandpa’s voice and feel my grandma’s love, but I will also think of you and all the strength and love that you showed me.