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    Nature and Geometry Merge in Yulia Brodskaya’s Meticulously Quilled Paper Birds

    “Nature of Things.” All images courtesy of Yulia Brodskaya, shared with permission

    Nature and Geometry Merge in Yulia Brodskaya’s Meticulously Quilled Paper Birds

    October 10, 2024

    ArtCraftNature

    Kate Mothes

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    From individual strips of colorful, methodically folded paper, Yulia Brodskaya’s vibrant compositions take wing. In a new series of quilled artworks, the artist (previously) taps into her love of drawing to emphasize the power of a line.

    “In my paper art practice, a drawn two-dimensional line is represented by a three-dimensional strip of paper glued on its edge,” Brodskaya says. For her mini-series of birds, the dimensionality of each line symbolizes ethereality and energy made visible.

    “Eagle of Light”

    In “Nature of Things,” for example, a kingfisher sits on the edge of a leaf, which appears to overflow with a geometric grid evocative of quantum illustrations of black holes.

    Foliage initially inspired the composition. “I was just sitting, observing its shape, following the curving lines with my eyes, and it didn’t take long to receive a vision of a superimposed toroidal shape…” she says, “like an organising principle that has always been there.”

    Find more of Brodskaya’s work on her website, and peek into her practice on Instagram.

    Detail of “Eagle of Light”

    “Things of Nature”

    Detail of “Nature of Things”

    “Take Off”

    Detail of “Take Off”

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    Tran Nguyen’s Ethereal Portraits Portray Melancholy Moments

    All images © Tran Nguyen, shared with permission

    Tran Nguyen’s Ethereal Portraits Portray Melancholy Moments

    September 12, 2024

    Art Illustration

    Jackie Andres

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    In Tran Nguyen’s portraits, spirited subjects coexist with ethereal environments. “I’ve always enjoyed themes revolving around melancholy, the female figure, and species found in nature,” she says.

    Whimsically walking alongside praying mantises, embracing a tiger in a suit, or encircled by swans, each character is presented with delicate detail, down to their flowing tendrils of hair and gossamer garments. This daintiness lends itself to the compelling air of fantasy that characterizes Nguyen’s style.

    After working on large-scale murals for some time, the Georgia-based artist mainly uses acrylic paint and colored pencils. On heavyweight watercolor paper, light washes of acrylic block in initial fields of color and precede layers of paint to create value. Colored pencils execute final details, like refining darker values.

    Though she loves working with traditional materials, Nguyen is also creating a new apparel line. Check out her website and Instagram for updates.

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