It’s been almost a year since I last did a demonstration of paper cutting techniques at Opus Art Supplies. I was feeling a bit nervous before I started because I was going to try something new, and more hands-on this time. In the past it’s been a demonstration only, and this time it was to be a workshop with people making things. I decided to use Japanese and Islamic patterns as printed templates to guide participants through the paper cutting activity, and I was a little worried this wouldn’t be interesting for them to work on.
It turned out to be the best thing for the amount of time we had for the class. I went through my information, did a quick paper cutting demonstration, and then got everyone working on a pattern paper cut selected from the printed templates I provided. It was interesting to see everyone choose a Japanese design over the Islamic ones. I suspect this is because they are perceived as easier to work with.
I had a fun group of participants in the class, and they seemed to enjoy and get inspired by everything I taught them. There were many converts to my beloved Olfa art knife, after each of them compared cutting with it versus an xacto with a #11 blade (they are the worst!)
Above are some of the work-in-progress by participants in the class.
This group was a pleasure to teach, and I left afterwards feeling inspired and incredibly satisfied with a teaching job well done.
More teeth-gnashing for me, Rachael, on seeing the photos from your paper-cutting workshop: I wish I could have been there! I’m glad you had a good turnout and it looked as if everyone was totally absorbed in the process. Good for you. I clicked through to the Opus page about your workshop and there found the video about your art. I don’t know how I missed it before, but I was really happy to see a whole load of your art that I hadn’t seen before. Fabulous stuff. Oh, and I love the idea of the art supply giveaway and I hope it was a great day. Is it a wrench to let supplies go, or do you feel liberated at streamlining your art life?
I’m already scheduled to do another workshop at Opus on September 17th. I’ll schedule a few more at other locations in the coming months as well.
It always feels very satisfying to let go of stuff I don’t need anymore. When it comes to art supplies, there is always someone else who can use it.