Friday, January 2, 2009

Paper Models n Pop Up Books...or....Playing

Let’s face it, it’s good to remain a child at heart – to be able to play as a child, to potter, to create, to be ‘in the moment’. As children most of us had some contact with paper dolls, models and pop up books. To me they were intriguing, consuming and magical. So in this post I’ll share some favourites being made by big people - paper artists and engineers - in the hope that they will inspire each of us to keep playing in our own way in 2009.

New Year Cat Cube – download free here.

If you’d prefer your model printed, precut and prescored drop by Canadian artist Gabe Wong’s store and pick up some of his Blockheads.

Maybe you’re drawn to a different type of model. How about a geisha doll kit from Melbourne artist Dust of Enchantment.

Or, you might like a model already made up and just waiting to be played with! Visit Sharlz N Dollz for original paper dolls handmade in Brisbane, Australia.

Pick up another premade model at Coffee Monkey where playing cards and other ephemera are incorporated into art dolls.

Sydney based artist Anna-Wili Highfield makes intricate paper models on commission having spent time working for Opera Australia as a Scenic Artist.

If you like pop up books with a difference Thomas Allen inspires by playing with vintage pulp fiction books, cutting, arranging, lighting and photographing.

And Danish artist Peter Callesen certainly knows how to wield a pair of scissors.
Looking Back

Want to try making some pop ups of your own? Carol Barton from Popular Kinetics Press has published numerous artist book editions of her own and shares her skills in workbooks available for purchase.
Five Luminous Towers, A Book to be Read in the Dark by Carol Barton
Offset printing, laser-cut pop-ups, light and batteries, edition of 50

When you’ve engineered your paper you can take it to great heights by using your work as the basis for animated videos. Katy Davis from Gobblynne Animation has utilised books, paper and digital manipulation to produce this beautiful artwork, Stay In My Memory.

Another Australian artist, Andrew Buchanan of Outhouse Animations, has created this complex piece, Looking For Joe.

Think that this is all a bit too difficult? Feeling overwhelmed? Then North Queensland artist Blossomnbird has kindly posted details on her blog showing us step by step how she turns her cute paper dolls into movie stars.




Away With Doris and Boris

So my News Years' Wish for you is that you will spend your year as the happy, carefree, inspired cherished child that you are. Happy Playin!

24 comments:

Unknown said...

Fantastic post Chrisy! Some clever and inspiring owkr here...off to download a CatCube or two...er..."for the kids" ;)

Sandee said...

Love your blog sew much!! Thank you sew much for visiting mine......

edward and lilly said...

This is a fabulous collection, it's all so inspiring. I love the block heads and the animations.

Sayraphim said...

How awesome are the things you find! I particularly love the paper geisha! You run an awesome crafting resource, thank you!

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

Wow. These are amazing. I'm off to check out a few links. Thanks for all the time you put into sharing these great artists.

yuko said...

What a beautiful collection! Paper doll and cutting paper is a lot of fun.

Karen Cole said...

Hi there!

Thanks so much for visiting me in my part of the world. I truly appreciate your comments.

I love the work you have featured here, particularly the paper sculpted owls.

Happy new year!!

-Karen

Sharon Tomlinson said...

Amazing. Yes it is good to be a child...play like a child.

Hey Harriet said...

I just keep discovering the coolest fun things on your blog. Thanks for featuring all of these inspirational and creative artists. I'm all for playing! I could play all day :)

shuxin said...

Oooooooo, good job and nice selections, chrisy!
And thanks you always concern me !
Thanks so much and Happy new year!

Lou said...

The geisha doll is my style - very nice. But the skeleton is SO clever. Lovely variety in your collection.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful post topic - thank you for sharing these intriguing pop-up outlets and artists...it makes me want to get out my exacto knife and invent something!

jac said...

I need a Cat Cube. I didn't a minute ago, but I do now...

Emily said...

yes, to play and be a child is awesome - thanks for sharing all these cool images here!

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog and I am so glad I did! All those pictures are amazing :)

Jen Crossley said...

How awesome are these pictures
Jen

Gillian said...

Wow Chrisy, another awesome post :)
so inspiring, just gotta love paper!

Anonymous said...

These pop ups are amazing!

Dan Jackson said...

Those pop-up books are SO cool!

www.dan-jackson.com/blog

Artsnark said...

Wonderful post - love paper play! Can I also recommend etsy sellers crankbunny, littlerobot & papercutsbyjoe ?

Juddie said...

So wonderful! I've admired Thomas Allen and Peter Callesen's work for a while now but hadn't seen the others. I particularly like Anna-Wili Highfield's owl. Gorgeous!

lauren said...

That paper barn owl is so hauntingly beauiful!

Marg said...

Wow, now I really understand the point of being a blog follower Chrisy, I could (and am) spending hours here. This looks, sounds and feels sublime!
Thank you for featuring my itchykoo store. Just the moral boost I needed today1

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