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Obsess Over Everything

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Last year, I was contacted by SF MOMA to do a special, site specific installation to hang inside of the newly renovated Square Offices in downtown San Francisco.  At first they wanted to know what I had available in inventory, but I had nothing at that moment left to give.  Then, I was told about a special wall they had in mind that had an enormous amount of light and extra high ceilings.  Obviously I was in love, so within 5 days I cut something special and was ready to install!

Here is the result- materials are handcut sketch paper and gold ink.  That’s it!  I was inspired by hanging plants and the landscapes in Oakland, CA in terms of imagery.

 

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So a couple months ago, I strolled into LUXE Creative‘s offices to visit my friend Martin and ask for some lighting advice for an exhibit.  I walked out with my advice, plus the possibility of a project to create an immense paper flower wall for a wedding.  I had never done one before, nor had I ever made a paper flower, but I thought this would be something fun and different to do.

Now, four months later, I finally finished up!  LUXE Creative was doing work for the wedding that was planned by Shari Zatman of Perfectly Planned in Pittsburgh.  We were set to install at the Heinz History Center.  I began work immediately, and looked at a number of patterns other DIY makers had used.  I also trusted my Cricut Explore for a little help too- it’s a cutting machine but it also comes with a number of cutting inspiration patterns.  In the end, I created my own flower designs that worked for this particular wall. It is also entirely handcut, which is what sets it apart from anything else you’ll find out there.   I’ll post those later this week!   Let me just say, Martin, his team, and I put in some intense hours during install day.  There were many bumps in the road, but I was extra confident and determined to make this the most beautiful thing in the room, well besides the bride of course!

Here it is, standing at 12 ft high x 20 ft long (original designs called for it to be 16 ft high) and over 100 lbs in weight thanks to the amount of paper.  It took four months of cutting every single day, except for one week where I ended up slicing a hole through my finger (ugh).

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Martin and I looking at our paper and light work.

Martin and I looking at our paper and light work.

Putting on finishing touches

Putting on finishing touches

Once the sun was almost down, I could finally see how beautiful the wall would look

Once the sun was almost down, I could finally see how beautiful the wall would look

Attempting to rest my legs while on the Lift

Attempting to rest my legs while on the Lift

more last minute hot glue touches!

more last minute hot glue touches!

 

So that’s that!  This year has handed me two huge projects and I am so proud to say that no matter what my health threw at me (after install I wasn’t able to walk for a day because of circulatory problems in my legs), I got the job done!  I have to thank everyone who helped me along the way, because one person can never handle anything alone.  Thanks to everyone, xoxoxoxoxo

Things this month have been absolutely amazing and absolutely busy! I am proud to announce that I am the Grand Prize Winner of the 2014 VSA Young Emerging Artist Program with the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.! This year’s theme was “The Journey,” and prompted artists to submit their work that concerned their own personal journeys living with a disability. With this award, my piece is exhibited in the Smithsonian in Washington, it is also part of a nationally traveling exhibition, and I receive a cash prize of $20,000. I have been invited, along with the other 14 winners, to attend a Congressional Reception in January so I’m already starting to plan my outfit! I am extremely honored to be receiving this award and am so excited to see what this next year holds for me.1622843_10152345255192694_5115025851877106456_n

My winning papercut sculpture, Never Stopping, deals with my experiences as a heart transplant recipient, specifically the overwhelming feelings related to my physical issues as well as the desire for healing. The entire original sculpture is about 16 ft in height and is made entirely of handcut paper. I also added screenprinted cutouts of hands, legs, oranges, and bananas. These symbolize offerings and milagros, or physical representations of intentions. The idea behind it was for the viewer to become overwhelmed with the structure, in order to mimic my own feelings. For the Kennedy Center, I brought the piece down to a smaller scale, which you can see in the photo.me

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Never Stopping

Never Stopping7

My transplant is a major part of my life, and I am open to any questions readers might have. I received my heart at the age of 14 months at New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. That transplant team became my family, and I am always going back every now and then to visit. They still follow up with me and my procedure results even though I have switched to the cardiology team at UPMC Children’s Hospital. Right now, I still have my original heart making my transplant one of the oldest single organ transplants in the country.

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