Meet Ashley Terpstra | Polish Paper Artist- (Wycinanki Designer)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Terpstra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Juggling work and creative life balance at one time was simple; my work was my art. I loved art school and then fell into a creative career upon graduation. After I became a mom, life and priorities changed. The chaos of having littles around made creating feel impossible to juggle.

As time went on and the babies went to preschool, I knew it was time to find an art form which I was able to work on and leave out throughout the day, since I only had small windows of time to work. That is how I started Traditional Polish Paper art. It was an art form that fit into my choppy life-style. It was an art form I could leave out , set up and clean up quickly. As the kids have grown and I have become a homeschooling mom and a preschool art teacher, this is still an art I can easily fit into my busy schedule. I have fallen in love with this time of creating. It waits for me as life buzzes by my art desk. I have times I work long and consistent hours cutting and designing new pieces, one after the other. And other times my papers sit still and untouched. Life is always changing and the balance of work life ebbs and flows. Yet I know it is always there ready to be picked up and created at any moment.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I began making the traditional paper cutting craft of Wycinanki as my primary method of art execution after visiting a polish museum in 2016. . “Wycinanki” pronounced Vee-chee-non-kee is the Polish word for ‘paper-cut design’. I was intrigued by this dying art form and became fascinated with the ornate beauty of traditional paper art. I have a background in wallpaper design, so the method of order, color and precise placing was a natural transition.

When I made my first piece, I tried very hard to mimic traditional design and hold true to the historic method. I came to find out that these designs were typically created with sheep sheers, which created a challenge, considering I had never even seen or held a pair of sheers. So, I decided to use some hair cutting scissors instead. After a while of replicating designs, it was was time to branch out and develop my own style.

Now, I feel I have honed in on my craft by developing a more updated, personal take. I am keeping wycinanki alive whilst modernizing it through bright colors and unique motifs. Instead of solely flowers and birds, you will find, armadillos, foxes, otters and even Indian paisleys.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had my best friend in Atlanta for the week, I would love to show them the unique bits that make this city. Whenever I visit a place I often want to see the real and regular places which highlight there life.

In my life my regular places would be the amazing hole-in-the-wall taco place down the road, called El Dons. My favorite thrift stores and the High Museum of Art. My husband works at SCAD Atlanta and I graduated from SCAD Savannah, so it would be fun to check out that creative campus. If it was summer, we would hit up my favorite beach on Lake Allatoona, George Washington Carver Beach.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my helpful husband who always encouraging me and handling life in our home with our kids so I can complete each piece. Also, to all my supportive costumers who keep my weird little side job afloat. Thank you for appreciating this unique art form!

Instagram: @paper_prairie

Facebook: Ashley Blakely Terpstra