Artist Statement

KathyCartier.com

Once introduced my involvement with hand papermaking was immediate.  Twenty years ago, I took an oriental papermaking workshop with Dorothy Linden.  I knew instantly this experience would have a great impact on my life.  After a few hours, I began creating collages in the shapes of oriental fans and kimonos.  My instructor expressed inspirational praises and encouraged me to further pursue my art.

Unique textures are what makes my pieces interesting. I strive to create compositions that are bold enough to be understood from a distance, but still create an invitation to come closer and explore the intimate surfaces that are alive with texture and visual energy.  Watching people react to my work is most rewarding to me.

My work primarily consists of large scale, three dimensional mixed media collage paintings and vessels, all created with oriental papers. I  specialize in the traditional Japanese handmade papermaking process using kozo, gampi and mitsumata fibers. By carefully preparing the fibers the pulp is formed.  A deckle is submerged into the pulp to collect the fibers that form the paper.  Once the paper is made, I mold it onto rocks and other textured surfaces to create reliefs.  I use inks, dyes, pigments, acrylics, metallic powders and various solar painting methods to create color.  Silk and cashmere fibers are added for textural interest.  For reflective qualities, gem stones and pearlescent glass beads are sewn into the paper.  I also use metal fragments that act as accents.  The shapes are evident, but the textures remain dominant. 

I am a realist in that I enjoy the process of transforming a growing, living plant into a finished piece of art. My main objective is to use the exciting textures to their fullest potential.  I use intuition, primarily, when layering and placing papers on my collage surfaces.  Shapes that fit the design concepts are formed as they feel right.  The work changes and evolves with each arrangement. 

My collages are built by a layering of thoughts and ideas.  I create my works after images of landscape elements.  The papermaking process using oriental fibers takes a great deal of time, effort and patience.  The entire process has become as important and rewarding to me as the finished art work.