Personalize your space with a tissue paper initial
Use small squares of tissue paper to create a colorful, textured initial to personalize your desk or room. This project is inspired by Pilar Albarracín’s Ceiling of Offerings, a sculptural installation made of 724 flamenco dresses suspended from the ceiling. From below, the ruffled material looks like a floating bouquet of colorful flowers.
About the Artist:
Spanish artist Pilar Albarracín creates performance, video, and installation art. She often creates challenging art about identity, culture, gender, and heritage.
Supplies:
• Cardboard cut-out of your favorite initial (or other symbol/shape)
• Colored tissue paper squares (1” and 2” work well)
• Glue
• Pencil
• Tarp or table covering that can get dirty
Steps:
Choose tissue paper colors that best represent you, and cut into small squares. Wrap the squares (one at a time) over the eraser end of a pencil to create a flower-like shape. Dab a small amount of glue to the bottom of the tissue paper, and lightly press onto your cardboard. Repeat the process until your cardboard is covered. The closer you place them together, the fuller the effect.
You can clump colors together or go with a random approach – either way, have fun! This process is simple, but you will find that it helps with focus and relaxation.Option:
Draw a block-letter initial or a symbol onto a piece of cardboard, instead of cutting out a shape. Fill in the shape first, and then fill in or paint the background area.
Challenge:
Glue a smaller size tissue square inside of a larger one to create dimension. Use a complementary color for variation.
Simplify:
Purchase pre-cut tissue paper squares.
Learn More:
• Brush up on your Spain facts with National Geographic Kids
• Watch superstar singers, musicians, and dancers in the 1995 documentary, Flamenco
This idea brought to you by Maggie Burgan.