Rising Stars: Meet Paulina M. Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paulina M. Johnson.

Hi Paulina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! Thank you so much for this highlight. I was born in Mexico City. I’ve moved quite a bit throughout my life but today Colorado is my home. I am a paper artist, although I feel like I entered the world of paper through a secret back door. I wasn’t sure what space I was walking into when I began this journey, but the last five years have been truly amazing. My background is in Graphic Design. I designed for many years in firms big and small. My projects and clients varied greatly and, eventually, I also taught design. It was because of teaching that I decided to get an MFA and it was during my graduate studies that I discovered my love of paper. This was a really round-about journey but, retrospectively, that love was always there.

At first I tried just about every way one can work with paper. I explored origami, kirigami, paper folding, paper cutting, and collage. Today, my methods rise out of what’s traditionally known as paper quilling. I cut paper into strips that I then glue on their sides. The strips sometimes lay in straight lines, sometimes they meaner in curves. I try to space them out evenly which allows for an unexpected 3-dimensional interplay of light and shadow. My current body of work is heavily inspired by nature. Creating landscapes out of strips of paper has been a challenge that I truly enjoy. I look forward to my continued conversation with paper as it teaches me to look closely at the nuances in my craft and enables me to tell stories about the world around me.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Shifting from commercial art (graphic design) to fine art was not easy. The way in which the work is not only conceived but then exists in the world is wildly different. Commercial art is ‘commissioned’ art. The client usually has a product, an audience, and an ultimate goal. Fine art doesn’t necessarily have any, or all, of those parameters. Work is created as an expression and is shared in the context of the gallery. Understanding these differences, and being the wholehearted catalyst of a work of art, was initially very overwhelming. I created art for others for many years, today I create art for myself.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a paper artist. I adhere strips of paper on their sides to create sculptural, 3-dimensional works of art. My latest body of work is inspired by nature and is a collection of landscapes reminiscent of beautiful places throughout Colorado. It’s both a source of pride and a deep honor to know my work becomes a cherished part of another’s personal space.

How do you think about luck?
Luck has been kind to me throughout my artistic journey and has lent a hand every step of the way. I am extremely grateful for my graduate school professors who guided me into the work I do today and for the incredibly talented and kind group of women with whom I own and run a gallery. I am lucky to have constant support and encouragement from my family.