WYCINANKA: "THISTLES AND DUCKS"
I folded the
dark green paper in half and drew half of the flowers, leaves, and ducks
on the back with pencil. Then, keeping the paper folded, I cut out the
symmetrical design. When I unfolded it, I felt the flowers and leaves
needed some colors, so I folded and cut pieces of scrap paper and glued
them onto the shapes, keeping the design identical on each side.
WYCINANKA: "BLUE ROOSTERS IN A CIRCLE"
These are my
beautiful blue roosters that I cut free hand by folding the paper in
half and drawing half of my design on the back white side. I used
fadeless paper. I cut out all the "holes" or negative space of the
design and then unfolded it to see the blue cutout. I used sharp
pointed cuticle scissors...my favorite tool. Then I planned all the
colors for the feathers and flowers and had to cut them out by folding
symmetrically or cutting out two at a time. Overlapping the colored
paper is a typical characteristic for the paper cuts from the Lowicz
(Woh-veech) region of Poland.
WYCINANKA: "BIG FLOWERS IN A TINY VASE"
I love the
big, gorgeous, and graceful feeling of these flowers in their tiny
vase. I started with green paper, folded, and drew half the stems and
leaves with pencil. After I cut them out, I glued them on the white
heavy poster board. Each flower had to be folded in half, cutting out
two at a time....the background color first. Then the smaller pieces
were cut the same way and glued. I use white paper glue that dries
clear. It's amazing to think that they cut these wycinanki in Poland
using sheep shears!
WYCINANKA: "GODDESS WITH BIRDS"
I
am always impressed by the magnificent costumes that are worn by the
dancers that come from Poland to perform here in the USA. I once wore a
Lowicz costume, when Jake and I were in the Tatra Folk Dance group. It
was made of wool and was heavily embroidered, along with the apron and
white blouse. I had fake braids and a wool scarf (babushka). We had to
dance for a Pennsylvania Polka Show, including dancing for the
commercial over and over again. It was so HOT!!!! but we had to look
gorgeous for TV. We were "brought back by popular demand", as we filmed
about 4 shows the very same day. This little lady is wearing the "gown
of my dreams". The headdress is a bit much, but I wanted her to look
like a Goddess. Aren't those birds amazing?
WYCINANKA: "RADICAL ROOSTERS"
I had more
fun creating these roosters. I wanted to make them sharp and
wild-looking. I folded the red paper and drew half of the design with
pencil on the back. I cut out all the spaces around the roosters and
chicks as well as the tree and branches. As I opened the cutting, I
decided what colors would emphasize the feathers and flowers and cut
them out (two pieces at a time). I glued everything down with white
paper glue that dries clear. This papercut now resides in Shanghai,
China.
WYCINANKA: "SIX ROOSTERS IN A TREE"
I had made
this Wycinanka Polish Paper Cut in one color, the dark brown on light
brown paper. After I had made it, I decided to add colors to the
roosters and tree by making colored paper feathers, flowers, and other
details. Many Wycinanki are made in only one color. They were used to
decorate the walls and rafters of the houses. The earliest Wycinanki
were made from sheep skins and cut with sheep sheers. The most
important use of these cuttings was to cover the windows with lace-like
designs, letting the light come through the holes and making the room
warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
WYCINANKA: Birds, Horses, and Tree of Life
I
made this Wycinanka Polish Papercut to fit a card that I created for
the 85th birthday of Mrs. Ruth Ziolkowski, President and CEO of Crazy
Horse Memorial Foundation and wife of the Polish-American sculptor,
Korczak Ziolkowski, who dreamed of making a monument in South Dakota to
honor Crazy Horse. As he started the sculpture, he worked alone, using
his own money and willpower. His amazing vision is coming true every
day, as now his wife and children continue his work on the mountain.
All four presidents' heads of Mt. Rushmore can fit into the head of
Crazy Horse, the Native American hero. They are now in the process of
blasting and forming the arm and eventually the horse that Crazy Horse
rides.
