Fine Paper Cutting by Ruth Becker
Unique paper cuts by Ruth Becker [edit: formerly Ruth Mergi] are truly something to see. Ruth is an American-born artist living in Modi'in, Israel [edit: now in Chevy Chase, Maryland], who began paper cutting in earnest just a year or so ago.
She works by hand with a compass and straight-edge to create intricate single-layer, multilayered, and painted paper cut designs. Ruth says she is strongly influenced by traditional Islamic motifs, as well as other spiritual traditions.
Cut paper and gouache 10" x 10" 2010
Recently she began creating original paper cut ketubot, which are Jewish marriage documents. This is her remarkable first design.
Meytal's Ketubah 23" x 23" 2010
Meytal's Ketubah - detail
Ruth's work compelled me to ask questions about her creative process.
How did you begin doing this style of paper cuts?
One of my biggest influences is the Judaica artist Archie Granot, whose layered papercuts are very well known in the Jewish art world. It's been trial and error, and I consider myself to still be in a very experimental stage. I've been building on what I've picked up over the years, and also intensely studying whatever I can learn online about paper craft.
Six layer hand-cut paper art, detail
The above piece is a pattern from Qarawiyyin Mosque in Morocco. Ruth says she wants to create fifty of these and tile her walls with them. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if she does!
Did you study art in school?
Oh gosh, let's see. I was introduced to paper cutting in high school, almost twenty years ago. An artist named Tamar Fischman came to my school and did a little workshop during my senior year. I loved it from the start. At UC Berkeley, I majored in philosophy, but made an effort to take art classes when my schedule permitted. After college, I traveled in Europe and India, lived in Israel for a time, worked as a journalist, and then went to law school in the U.S. My oldest son was born while I was in my last year, and after graduation I moved back to Israel, and here I've stayed. I did some legal research for a while, but never practiced law. In the meantime I stayed at home with my son, my two daughters were born, and I tried to figure my path.
Mind's Repose: Letter from John Keats to Fanny Brawne, detail
About a year ago I had a wake up call and realized that I was an artist after all. I set up a studio in the basement that same week and have been at it since. It's a challenge with three small kids at home - they are aged six, four, and not yet two - but I know this is the right path for me.
Can you explain for us how you go about your layering process?
For the most part, it's very straightforward. I glue the top layer to an under-layer, and then cut *that*. And I keep going until I'm done. Very low-tech, but labor intensive, and although I'm still working out the kinks, I have to say I find it satisfying!
meshushim, detail
You mentioned on your Flickr page that you would be sending a piece off to be laser cut.
So far I've only worked by hand -- no computers, no photoshop, no lasers. Recently I had a couple of pieces reproduced by lasercut, and am going to add hand-cut layers and paint to work those into new pieces. It should be a fun experiment.
Have you found a particular craft knife that is most comfortable to use?
I cut with a regular old X-Acto knife, #11 blade, for the most part.
She works by hand with a compass and straight-edge to create intricate single-layer, multilayered, and painted paper cut designs. Ruth says she is strongly influenced by traditional Islamic motifs, as well as other spiritual traditions.
Cut paper and gouache 10" x 10" 2010
Meytal's Ketubah 23" x 23" 2010
Nine layers of hand cut paper, gouache
Calligraphy by Izzy Pludwinski
Meytal's Ketubah - detailHow did you begin doing this style of paper cuts?
One of my biggest influences is the Judaica artist Archie Granot, whose layered papercuts are very well known in the Jewish art world. It's been trial and error, and I consider myself to still be in a very experimental stage. I've been building on what I've picked up over the years, and also intensely studying whatever I can learn online about paper craft.
Six layer hand-cut paper art, detail
Image from "Islamic Geometric Patterns" Eric Broug
2008
The above piece is a pattern from Qarawiyyin Mosque in Morocco. Ruth says she wants to create fifty of these and tile her walls with them. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if she does!
Did you study art in school?
Oh gosh, let's see. I was introduced to paper cutting in high school, almost twenty years ago. An artist named Tamar Fischman came to my school and did a little workshop during my senior year. I loved it from the start. At UC Berkeley, I majored in philosophy, but made an effort to take art classes when my schedule permitted. After college, I traveled in Europe and India, lived in Israel for a time, worked as a journalist, and then went to law school in the U.S. My oldest son was born while I was in my last year, and after graduation I moved back to Israel, and here I've stayed. I did some legal research for a while, but never practiced law. In the meantime I stayed at home with my son, my two daughters were born, and I tried to figure my path.
Mind's Repose: Letter from John Keats to Fanny Brawne, detail
Hand-cut paper, Swarovski crystals 18" x 18"
2010
About a year ago I had a wake up call and realized that I was an artist after all. I set up a studio in the basement that same week and have been at it since. It's a challenge with three small kids at home - they are aged six, four, and not yet two - but I know this is the right path for me.
Can you explain for us how you go about your layering process?
For the most part, it's very straightforward. I glue the top layer to an under-layer, and then cut *that*. And I keep going until I'm done. Very low-tech, but labor intensive, and although I'm still working out the kinks, I have to say I find it satisfying!
meshushim, detailYou mentioned on your Flickr page that you would be sending a piece off to be laser cut.
So far I've only worked by hand -- no computers, no photoshop, no lasers. Recently I had a couple of pieces reproduced by lasercut, and am going to add hand-cut layers and paint to work those into new pieces. It should be a fun experiment.
Have you found a particular craft knife that is most comfortable to use?
I cut with a regular old X-Acto knife, #11 blade, for the most part.
Paper Cut Flower
Hand cut paper, original design
2010
How are your hands holding up? I would imagine the tedious, fine cuts must be pretty hard on them.
My hands are fine, it's my eyes that hurt! One of my daily frustrations is having to take breaks when my eyes start to glaze over from the strain. The hands are willing, but I have to rest every hour or so in order to see properly. It's a challenge to get enough done while the kids are at school and daycare, which keeps me on a very tight schedule, but that's not an entirely bad thing. The kids do keep me motivated!
Stay up-to-date with Ruth's newest projects via her website and Etsy shop, RuthBeckerArt.
My hands are fine, it's my eyes that hurt! One of my daily frustrations is having to take breaks when my eyes start to glaze over from the strain. The hands are willing, but I have to rest every hour or so in order to see properly. It's a challenge to get enough done while the kids are at school and daycare, which keeps me on a very tight schedule, but that's not an entirely bad thing. The kids do keep me motivated!
Stay up-to-date with Ruth's newest projects via her website and Etsy shop, RuthBeckerArt.
All Things Paper is an AWIN (Etsy) affiliate.
