Pretty Paper Please

I am fascinated by all forms of paper- stationary, books, journals, construction paper, photographs, notebook paper, any paper. Last year when I visited New York I was able to go to one of my very favorite stores, anthropologie. What did I buy? a children's book.

But it's not exactly a children's book. (Although, as previously mentioned, I do have a personal collection of children's books) It is more of an illustrated adult picture book by the extremely talented artist, Rob Ryan.

All of the illustrations and words are cut out of paper in an incredibly intricate and beautiful way. I cannot begin to imagine how long these detailed pictures must take to create. 

The story is written from a guys perspective and tells of him discovering his loneliness. He wants someone to share life with but has no one. Then his mother tells his that one day he will meet a girl and fall in love and then he will have someone whom he can tell all his stories. So he begins writing about his loneliness and about this new hope inside of him and he says, "Even though you may feel empty inside can it make you feel better by writing words? what kind of magic is this? and you look up at the stars and wonder, is this how God felt when he created the universe?" I understand what he means, I journal and write and my thoughts come together. I feel heard even though no one is listening because I'm listening to myself and acknowledging thoughts and feelings that would otherwise be contained. Also, journaling is a form of prayer for me. Not only am I hearing myself but God is hearing me and is interested in what I have to say. But the guy's thoughts in that part of the book are unique to me. When God spoke the world into existence was it his form of journaling? Of creating a space to be heard? Of finding joy and releasing otherwise contained thoughts and emotions? I know that although God came to us in the form of a man He is much more intricate and big than we could ever comprehend but this still makes sense to me. Perhaps it's one of the ways I understand God in our relationship. 

Anyways, I was reminded of my lovely little book after seeing these incredible pictures.

These were made by a British illustrator and paper cutter, Julene Harrison. Her's are more exact and defined but I love both artists.

I'm inspired to try my own! I don't expect to create sometime remotely near these. She truly is remarkable! She does some of these on commission for weddings. 

But this one is probably my favorite because of the poem to which it refrenc

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart) 

-e.e. cummings