Annandale, VA
Paper cutting is a slow, intentional art form that demands full presence with every cut. I began teaching myself this medium during the pandemic, drawn to its tactile simplicity and calming focus. My early pieces—rough silhouettes of the flowers I grew up with on my family’s farm—became the foundation for more intricate work as I pushed myself to refine my technique. Through layering, rolling edges, and shaping depth with subtle shadows, my compositions gradually grew more complex.
Using only an art knife, paper, and glue, I hand-cut every shape without machines or die-cuts. The medium offers no erasers; each line and dot must be placed with purpose. Its irreversibility is what challenges and grounds me, transforming humble paper into something quietly powerful.
Botanical themes appear throughout my work, rooted in memories of childhood fields, my mother’s gardens, and the flowers present at my father’s funeral. They serve as metaphors for remembrance, resilience, and the emotional terrain of grief and identity. Each flower I cut is an act of honoring and releasing those memories.
Though trained in observational drawing, the paper itself continues to be my greatest teacher. It asks me to slow down, choose deliberately, and accept imperfections as part of the story. I make this work because it allows me to translate complex emotions into forms of beauty and stillness—inviting others into moments of reflection and quiet connection.
