Barb Roth - Paper Applique

Nature has always been the subject of my art work. I appreciate the beauty and detail of God’s creation and I try to communicate that in my compositions.
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I became interested in working with these papers as an art form while working at Dick Blick Art Store. As I discovered these fabulous papers, these textures and vibrant colors enticed me to experiment using the watercolor and design techniques I learned in college. Soon my own unique art form was developed, which I call paper ‘applique’. You will find that I don’t use any paint, which is at times challenging yet rewarding. In my most recent work I have incorporated the paper ‘applique’ with ‘collage’. This has allowed me to work with more types of papers and patterns that bring excitement to my compositions.

Every composition begins on illustration board or heavy watercolor paper. The paper that I want to blend is torn and layered by hand into various shapes. To create sharp edges I use an x-acto knife. A matte adhesive is applied under and over each piece. On many of my pictures an artist pen is used to outline the flowers and creatures.