Erin Newman’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We recently had the chance to connect with Erin Newman and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I love being retired. The days have so much more meaning now. I look outside, enjoy the backyard, listen and watch the birds landing on our water fountain, watch the sun rise. I wander into my studio and find what I was working on the day before and decide, do I continue, or start something new? It’s all in my hands to accomplish, so the decision is only mine. No one knows the secrets I keep in my studio – there are half-started projects, projects that didn’t work, projects that went too fast, and projects in my head that I haven’t even started. The list is endless….

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a self-taught paper artist learning by trial and error. My creativity came later in life, after the 35+ year career. I wanted a creative outlet that was mobile. Whatever it was going to be, I wanted to take it with me when I traveled, and in no way could it be messy. I’ve tinkered with “messy” and self-discovery proved beyond a reasonable doubt that wasn’t in my artistic genes. Paper Quilling just happened back in 2016. I can’t say exactly what pushed me to buy the necessary tools to start, guessing Pinterest or similar gave me the idea, but that’s when this crazy thing called “Paper Art by Erin” got its wheels. It started as a little side gig that would keep me busy traveling, but as word spread, it got to be more of a big deal. Back then, Paper Quilling wasn’t quite as popular as it is now, so people were never sure what to make of it. I got lots of raised eyebrows. Is this thing called Paper Quilling real art? It’s not really in the definition of Fine Art, so where does it fit? There was a lot of preconceived notions of where Paper Quilling fit and where it didn’t. My story is one of rediscovery, reinvention, and a deep love for paper that blossomed after retirement.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I had a long career, 35+ years in the federal government. I remember when I first started working, and thinking that I finally made it. I got hired for a job I loved and worked hard at being successful. Yes, there were bad times when I wanted to hang it all up, but I stuck with it and in the end, am very grateful for my career. After retirement though, I was sort of lost. What more can I accomplish? Where do I see myself in the next five years? I started thinking about being creative. We had an RV that would take us all over the country, and I didn’t want to sit in the passenger seat watching the world go by. It took me awhile, but I figured it out. The simplicity of rolling strips of paper was going to take me farther than I would have ever imagined. As my story goes, my fingers would roll the paper and the strips made the art. “It’s hand-rolled paper, meticulously placed one piece at a time,”

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
My own self-acceptance – first in my career and later as an artist. During my career, I’d look to people who I enjoyed being around thinking that I admire how they handled a certain situation, or how they took on that challenge without fear. They likely did have fear, but to me, I just saw their strength and willingness to go forward, accept it and work it out. For a long time, I couldn’t see myself in those shoes, so I didn’t put my hat in the ring. I learned, eventually that I was failing myself by not accepting the fear, and it was time to step up in order to succeed. It was definitely scary, but once that first step was taken, there was relief and the next step wasn’t quite so hard.

To this day, even with my art, I wonder, “why do people like my art?” It’s something that I created, and yes, of course, I like it, but why do they? It’s something as an artist, I still think about, though as the years have gone by, I realize I do have what it takes to be a paper artist. I’ve succeeded because of my willingness to throw the hat (or artwork) into the ring and see where it takes me. Fortunately, it’s all been a positive outcome.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I’m pretty much the persona of an open book. I don’t hold back much, especially if I have something to say. That’s not to say I don’t hold back at times, but people who know me well, aren’t surprised when I speak up. It took some forward thinking on my part to say, “I’m a paper artist who loves to roll paper.” When most think of art, it’s defined by a brush, paints, or pencils, etc., but paper? Really? How is that art? In order to move forward, I had to push those thoughts aside, and bring my artwork out into the public eye and show that art is subjective and it means different things to different people. I had to show the art world that this is me, and I’m a paper artist.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
Peace comes with paper in my hands. I’m addicted to paper – all kinds. Be it quilling strips, or handmade papers from Nepal or Chiyogami papers from Japan. I can just look at a piece of piece of paper and ask, ok, what are you going to do for me today? Besides quilling, I love making handmade art journals, and using bookbinding techniques. While Paper Quilling is my first love, the fact that I play with all kinds of paper on a daily basis is my “happy place.” The zen I’m in when working with paper relaxes me as I roll coils of paper knowing that at some point, it’ll all turn into a beautiful piece of art.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: erin_quills_paper
• Facebook: Paper Art by Erin
• Other: https://www.paperworks.info/gallerydirectory/erinnewman

Image Credits
Erin Newman