Artist of the month, February 2011: FlockingTogether

For the month of February, I chose FlockingTogether as my artist feature. Their work is both unique and beautiful. I have never seen this type of work before, and was inspired. Here is an interview with the Artist!

What inspires you?
Most days, I go for a walk through a nearby park and I like to see the different seasonal changes whether it is seed heads on dying grasses, fruit on trees, or the bark of plants in winter. I am also inspired by looking at various blogs and seeing what kind of shapes or colors interest me. I became interesting in iris folding after my mother brought home some books from the Netherlands where she had attended an origami convention.

Black-capped chickadee hanging onto a sycamore branch

What is your technique?
I use iris folding to create the birds in my work and cut out paper for the bugs and plants. Recycling is important to me and the paper I use comes from old catalogs and magazines. I find that I can get unusual textures, patterns, and gradations of color from these sources.

Bird chasing a seed from a swamp milkweed

How is your art different from other artists?

I haven't seen anyone else creating artwork or collages using iris folding. Usually, iris folding is used for cards.

Bird Singing a Song

Why do you do this particular kind of art (or use this particular technique)?

I became interested in iris folding after my mother brought home some books from the Netherlands where she had attended an origami convention. Also, iris folding is suited to the birds that I create since I find that the folded paper strips mimic the feathers.

Two chickadees hanging from branches

You can look at more of Flocking Together's work here!