“Green Path, Closed Gate” | 36″ x 23.5″ $2600

When describing my artwork, I often use the words texture, sculptural, fusing and color. One word I usually leave out is collage. Yet that’s really what all of my Joomchi artwork is: an assemblage of different papers.

These collages start with Hanji (mulberry paper) that I fuse and manipulate while it’s wet. I then add other papers – anything from Japanese manga to clippings from the latest issue of the local newspaper – guided by the theme I choose for each artwork.

The closest parallel I can draw is to my love for baking. When putting together a new artwork, I feel like I’m starting a new baking project. I assemble the ingredients (the various papers), lay them out in a pattern that appeals to me, then begin to mix the ingredients together by wetting and fusing the papers into the finished artwork.

During this process I’m conscious of the negative spaces I’m creating between the colors and textures. The color balance is also important. I want to achieve a progression that leads the viewer’s eye across the artwork, pausing to linger in certain places and then moving on.

Finally, when all is finished and the artwork is dry, I paint a thin layer of encaustic medium over the surface for protection and stability – the icing on the cake! As with baking, presentation is all part of the experience. I present my artwork on a custom metal bracket that holds it 2” away from the wall, creating subtle shadows and adding depth to the negative spaces.

Please take a look at all of the pieces in my “Koro Koro” series to see how these different techniques are combined. I look forward to hearing your comments. Bon appetit!