Mary Gaynier

Statement

I discovered my love for the art of Scherensnitte, or paper cutting, completely by accident in 2001 when I began making simple cut paper snowflakes at the winter holidays. A pleasant diversion became an obsession, and my simple designs evolved into a more complex mix of abstract patterns and identifiable images of everyday life. As a draughtsman and printmaker with a penchant for detail, I developed more refined cutting skills while maintaining the basic circular or "snowflake" form.

One of the aspects I enjoy most is watching people examine my work, first from a distance where they see a more abstract rhythmic pattern, and then up close, where to their surprise, they might find a scene of a bustling city or a child at play.

The surprise element in my work is not only for the viewer but for me as well. I do not know exactly what each cut paper design will look like until I unfold it after all the cuts have been made. The repetition of the design creates a rhythm that takes on al life of its own, independent of the identifiable images within the design. That unexpected element of  my work always keeps it fresh and exciting for me. I am always anticipating my next design.