Origami Artist - Mike Van Horne

Okay, I'll admit it. I've been converted into an origami aficionado. Ben Coleman's intriguing Benagami started it, then Vania Passos's elegant floral arrangements, and for sure, the Klutz Fashion Origami book which proved that heck yes, I can follow little diagrams!

Lately I've been spending more time than I should clicking my way around Flickr. Literally not one minute after joining an origami group, I was stopped in my tracks by this funny character - who could resist him?!Artist Mike Van Horne of Colorado is the creator of Dollar Minotaur, a small creature who's rocking a cagey smile on his face and a glint in his eye. Harlequin - butcher wrap/ unryu/ foil/ lokta laminated on diagonals

Mike is quite a prolific folder. He began doing origami early in 2008, and by the end of that year was creating original, intricate designs with paper squares - no cutting, no gluing.
Mask 4 - lokta foil laminateCross Owl - chiri unryu, foil, mica paper, laminated

Mike also enjoys working on complex designs by other folders. The next three pictures are designs by origami master, Robert Lang, that Mike made with specialty papers, pearl momigami and lokta. moosetarantula

He enjoys the quick gratification of the art. "One aspect of origami that I love so much is the fact that the masters of the art are truly accessible, and that this is the 'Golden Age' of the art. I have gotten great advice and comments about my work from many of my origami heroes, and I have never seen that, without paying for it, in the fine arts world. "praying mantis

A stay-at-home dad, Mike finds himself facing the decision of whether to concentrate on folding or resume his initial focus of pastel work when his son begins school this fall. I'm sure no matter which medium Mike chooses, he'll continue to delight us with eye-catching art. Prophets of Peace - design by Giang Dinh, folded by Mike Van Horne
lokta, unryu, mica paper, banana paper, candy wrapper, foil

All photos are by Mike Van Horne of his own work.