What inspired me last month

Beautiful papercut Art by artist Daria Alyoshkina

Exhibition and workshop by Daria Alyoshkina.

Daria Alyoshkina is a Ukrainian artist who has specialized in the traditional Ukrainian paper cutting art called 'vytynanka'. She learned this from her parents when she was young. They learned it from an 80 year old neighbor who was happy to teach the craft to a new generation.

  The Netherlands held an exhibition of her monumental papercutting work for a short time, just one week! This was in the Ukrainian center in Zaandam. Her work, fantastic large paper cutting works, are very impressive. And I was glad I went to see it that week. In addition to the exhibition there were several workshops in the Netherlands where she talked about the history of the Ukrainian craft, about her work and technique. We chose one of her small works as a template, to practice the technique of vytynaka. A very inspiring and educational workshop, with everything in Ukrainian and a translator and fellow Ukrainians who are staying here in the Netherlands, most of them because of the war in their own country. Make sure you take a look at het instagram account. My pictures hardly show the beauty and the immense scale of het work.

https://www.instagram.com/daria.alyoshkina/

Photo 1—2-3-4-5-6 are papercut artwork and one print by Artist Daria Alyoshkina, during g her exhibition in Zaandam, The Netherlands. Photo 7-8-9-10-11 are my papercut work made by a template of Daria, group photo of fellow workshop members and the papercut on my table with a beautiful shadow.

Apples and pears

Daria’s stories about the past and the farm where she grew up, made me think of my safe childhood on our farm with the pear orchard and the scattered apple trees. Climbing trees and picking apples and pears, even before they were ripe. It made me realise that I am lucky, growing up in nature, be able to play and be free.

Anyway, when I start papercutting, I start with shapes I like, simple shapes and not overthink it. Just to get in the flow. Mostly they are birds, but recently I cut more and more fruits, espcially apples and pears. I even created a small pattern collection with the theme fruits and orchards. Ik will show more next time, because I got featured in the next Uppercase magazine (issue 65) The surface pattern design guide nr 6. Since I have to wait on my printed copy, I will show them in the next blog. Anyway, I couldn't resist making 2 new art prints/giclee with a juicy pear and a red, fruity apple. These will probably be in my etsy shop soon, but I might keep one for myself.

Apple and pear fine art print, 30x30 cm, beautiful Handmade paper, high resolution giclee.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SabethElberseStudio