| | Los Angeles–based papercutter Elsa Mora’s intricately cut paper artwork is inspired by her kids. | What made you decide to try papercutting?
I have been drawing and making art projects with paper since I was very little in Cuba, but I only made my first real papercut in May 2008, after I became familiar with the work of other artists.
What do you like most about it?
The entire process is a wonderful way to practice the art of patience. Sometimes we just want things to get done immediately, and we get frustrated with the very idea of having to wait for things to happen. By cutting out little pieces of paper in an intricate design, I get to challenge myself to keep going, one cut at a time.
Do you need special equipment to do it?
I use an X-Acto knife with a number 11 blade, a self-healing cutting mat and acid-free, archival-quality paper. I draw the main part of a design on paper and create the details during the cutting process.
Where do you find your inspiration?
My three children—ages 3, 5 and 16—give me new reasons to do something creative every day. They are constantly noticing little things that I easily miss. Doing artwork does get more complicated when there are children around (our son, Diego, was diagnosed with autism last year, and his daily therapies occupy an important part of my day), but finishing a new papercut is such a rewarding experience that I stay up to work after we put the kids to bed. My children are my best critics—they are absolutely honest when they don’t like something I’ve made. I love that!
Make your own papercutting! Download a pattern from Elsa.
Learn more about papercutting here.
For prints of papercuts similar to the one shown, visit elsita.etsy.com. |
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