Kanako Abe’s Paper Artworks

WORDS Mary Garner

Artist Kanako Abe uses a Japanese paper stencil technique known as Ise-katagami to carve out intricate portrait images of children and animals.

Based in San Francisco, Kanako has developed her own interpretation of this classic technique, originally used for designing patterns on kimono fabrics.

Kanako incorporates scenes from nature, such as forests and flowers, into her works, which are reminiscent of traditional Western silhouette portraits.

Most of her pieces are only a little larger than the palm of a hand, while some of her creations are made life-size, such as her bear and wolf cut-outs.

Follow Kanako on Instagram to view more of her work.

Happy Friday everyone! Another chipmunk from last year ? There are never too many of them! And I need acorn emoji so badly…! #handcutpaper . . . ． ． ． ． #papercut #paperillustration #linedrawing #lineart #smallart #sfartshow #sfart #madeincalifornia #bayareaartist #indieart #artscene #artshub #californiaartist #shadowart #animalart #切り絵 #chipmunk #chipmunkart #smallanimal #smallanimals #mushroomart #mushrooms #acorn #mushroomhunting #sanfranciscoart #forest_of_twinkling_fireflies #adventuretime #adventure #tempuradesign

A post shared by Kanako Abe (@abemanatee) on Apr 6, 2018 at 8:52am PDT

(h/t) thisiscolossal.com