An Artist Creates Paper Cranes Out Of Delicate Cuts and Flowers

In 2015, paper artist Cristian Marianciuc started a 1,000-day objective to make a new paper crane each day. The extravagant designs included layers of multicolor paper, precise cuts to mimic feathers, and frequently gilded elements added onto the wings. After his self-imposed challenge, Marianciuc has given himself more time to work on each design, allowing cranes to grow over days instead of hours. Without these limitations he is able to vary his techniques, making increasingly difficult works that present more complex folds and cuts. Marianciuc posts his paper art frequently on Instagram.

Indian Artists Took 365 Challenge to Create One Paper Cut a Day

Jamie Hannigan Creates Intricate Paper Sculptures Only Using The Pages Of A Book

In accordance with Jamie Hannigan: “Maybe I am just easily interested, but I often see magic and wonder in things that others might consider mundane. I’m a very creative individual, and as a child, I often created fictional narratives to go along with objects or places.

My inspiration comes from all around. Sometimes I’m really into characters, such as toadstools and mushrooms. Sometimes I am really into man-made objects, like ships. Sometimes I am really into concepts and topics, like astrology or mythology.

I go through phases, and I have learned to adopt that in my work. I create the things I would like to create at that specific moment. If just one other person finds pleasure in what my imagination led me to make, I consider it a success.”

Meticulously Cut Paper Art Looks Like Elegantly Inked Illustrations of Spirit Animals

San Francisco based artist Kanako Abe generates hand-cut, intricate paper art, that at first glance look like pencil drawings. She started working with paper in 2012 when studying the Japanese art of Ise-katagami–a conventional stencil technique utilized for complex designs on Kimono fabric. Abe uses the same Japanese Ise-katagami cutting tools but on black newspaper, in addition to an X-Acto knife, a cutting edge, and–most significantly–incredible patience. The resulting hand-cut creations depict woodland spirit animals and mysterious forests that research “everyday moments and thoughts.”

Abe’s growing portfolio of animal cut-outs includes a reassuring moth which lets you “have faith in yourself, and you will notice the light,” and also a supernatural fox with “connection to a magical realm.” Abe records each piece on Instagram, occasionally showing how her art casts a gorgeous shadow when held against a light surface. Based upon the design’s intricacy, Abe’s smaller bits can take around 15 hours to complete. “I find curvy lines require more time than geometric patterns with straight lines,” she clarifies.

Keep up to date on Abe’s work on Instagram, where she also shares her works in progress.

Paper Cut Patterns by Maud Vantours

Paper artist Maud Vantours brings paper to life through a huge variety of industrial and self-initiated projects that span 3D paper sculpture displays for top brands to editorial work for magazines and ad agencies. The French designer has also explored a more artistic kingdom with her organic Oscillations collection. Vantours shares some of her most recent work on Instagram.