During my artist residency at The Leeway a few years ago I had the opportunity to learn how to screen print, using my cut paper designs as printing stencils. I printed a pile of drawing paper with colours intending to eventually turn these into cut paper pieces. I finally pulled them out two weeks ago and started working with this printed paper to created a new series. I took inspiration for these designs and the series from line drawings I’d been doing in my 30 Days of Drawing Sketchbook earlier this year.

I don’t typically do much drawing when I work on a paper cut, but with these I’ve had to draw it all out on the back before I start. I don’t feel I can freehand cut something like this because it’s visually complicated. The lines are needed to guide the cutting.

I love this piece with the mottled colours of the paper showing through, and I actually wish they were more saturated and colourful. I’ve always avoided colourful or patterned paper with my work because I thought complicated designs were better with a simple colour palette.

I have about six or eight pieces of this screen printed paper, and I’m already working on the second piece in the series. Stay tuned for more!