Whimsical Paper Cut Illustrations
A friend sent me the link to Dawbis's [edit: she now goes by Dawn Cardona] engaging paper collages on Flickr and I was smitten.... and then reading her blog, Lovely Paper [edit: her new site is Dawn M. Cardona] caused me to appreciate what she does even more.
Dawn is a self-taught hobby artist who recycles paper scraps to create tiny works of art. Sometimes she even incorporates a bit of quilling into the designs.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQW3T1KpJDvRYoAJZGtt4L1FUUsKEUiiBr5UWYbVu4mWCUA8gXcPxZZAybbDXOUpO7VU7t2VKoVNFBFphwWXI8JUV7qhycWnHscgmMuxQQuO7ZX1pgaGCKtme_K642SF95RRkdCUs9pI/s400-rw/dawbis-quilling.jpg)
From time to time, she arranges 'paper for art' trades with those who send her paper... especially things like old ticket stubs, library catalog cards, game pieces - it's all fair game once Dawn finds time to sit down and create a collage.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqTdMgc68TnQ3PdLRjfRitKp3CN9KyOH2vER_mOpinfiawxF1i90YaqwPVi7FmFOSx6Xa4Lbn0FDZDz6I-NhcFm_oo8cpRCLO7mFYYzUER-pi0MKMJTQ-Cuw1gPLGAKuSkszYH8L6i4Q/s400-rw/dawbis-found-paper.jpg)
She says she enjoys not knowing ahead of time what direction a design will take. She doesn't even keep a sketchbook, the way so many creative types suggest. What Dawn does is lay out the paper and tools ahead of time, thinks of a central object to make, and the rest magically falls into place... well, something tells me a good bit of talent is involved as well!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOE4kOIirHCmak0adbCqQ-voeS9oGqQ9TDvnHqvNb9op_WyKqtnk9U5kOHmqJ8lgfVzxnzGCzNGYcY0541ZgRlMB_dRB0Ms_FYGJq4-nexBEEUNT9wxU0Icb44QnCf4CnwQ0mygQWcvI/s400-rw/dawbis-collage.jpg)
There's so much to see in each precisely cut, expressive scene. They make me feel as if I've stepped into a little fantasy world where something interesting and intense is happening at that very moment... and I want to be involved.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywYnroumENw0Binz8l7j5igX1o1_JvR9XiwiMIIP5vo2Cs7pNsCqXjIGaWrIli5F0-rQ0hK2j-GzzL_oQyJhJPWU8ybWve7TEi6AGun1KXux1051dj1XeNiRTTP1ApTnR5wZLKPrpf0A/s400-rw/dawbis-tea.jpg)
But perhaps it's best to just stand quietly on the sidelines and observe, so as to not disturb the action.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iImCwL44FxxSNzPwQ7Mxa_mfHxv5L5H45-MMCwQFTNboBQ3Os7GSjtT6NGtJ4Yk_JlLhtYB7k3LcHzcnMJhgLQ1NMOhszkv6Uh3MjmtnJcXham9-zirJvfAoirt0wAS3oaL6Nc5k0Ws/s400-rw/dawbis-work-in-progress.jpg)
Dawn is a self-taught hobby artist who recycles paper scraps to create tiny works of art. Sometimes she even incorporates a bit of quilling into the designs.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQW3T1KpJDvRYoAJZGtt4L1FUUsKEUiiBr5UWYbVu4mWCUA8gXcPxZZAybbDXOUpO7VU7t2VKoVNFBFphwWXI8JUV7qhycWnHscgmMuxQQuO7ZX1pgaGCKtme_K642SF95RRkdCUs9pI/s400-rw/dawbis-quilling.jpg)
From time to time, she arranges 'paper for art' trades with those who send her paper... especially things like old ticket stubs, library catalog cards, game pieces - it's all fair game once Dawn finds time to sit down and create a collage.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqTdMgc68TnQ3PdLRjfRitKp3CN9KyOH2vER_mOpinfiawxF1i90YaqwPVi7FmFOSx6Xa4Lbn0FDZDz6I-NhcFm_oo8cpRCLO7mFYYzUER-pi0MKMJTQ-Cuw1gPLGAKuSkszYH8L6i4Q/s400-rw/dawbis-found-paper.jpg)
She says she enjoys not knowing ahead of time what direction a design will take. She doesn't even keep a sketchbook, the way so many creative types suggest. What Dawn does is lay out the paper and tools ahead of time, thinks of a central object to make, and the rest magically falls into place... well, something tells me a good bit of talent is involved as well!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOE4kOIirHCmak0adbCqQ-voeS9oGqQ9TDvnHqvNb9op_WyKqtnk9U5kOHmqJ8lgfVzxnzGCzNGYcY0541ZgRlMB_dRB0Ms_FYGJq4-nexBEEUNT9wxU0Icb44QnCf4CnwQ0mygQWcvI/s400-rw/dawbis-collage.jpg)
There's so much to see in each precisely cut, expressive scene. They make me feel as if I've stepped into a little fantasy world where something interesting and intense is happening at that very moment... and I want to be involved.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywYnroumENw0Binz8l7j5igX1o1_JvR9XiwiMIIP5vo2Cs7pNsCqXjIGaWrIli5F0-rQ0hK2j-GzzL_oQyJhJPWU8ybWve7TEi6AGun1KXux1051dj1XeNiRTTP1ApTnR5wZLKPrpf0A/s400-rw/dawbis-tea.jpg)
But perhaps it's best to just stand quietly on the sidelines and observe, so as to not disturb the action.
Amazing find, Ann. I am inspired from reading her blog. Glad to know others see blessings in their crafty mistakes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
~Molly xo
ann, this is so nice! thank you so much for posting about me and my work. i wish i could give you a hug!!!
ReplyDeletehappy friday :)
Sooo amazing!!! @_@
ReplyDeletethanks for posting, am going to go explore her blog! it's really inspiring!
Very cool! And thanks, just what I need - another blog to read!? :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Ann. I gave you a blog award. Details on my blog x
ReplyDeleteAw this is so wonderful! Thank you for introducing me to her work! :)
ReplyDeleteThey are adorable , I will look up Dawn - like her real name much more than the made up one.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link from my account @pearlpapercouture
I'm glad you enjoyed seeing Dawn's work, Pearl!
Delete