Featured Artist Janna Willoughby-Lohr

Artist Janna Willoughby-Lohr presents a delightfully creative collection of paper and mixed media work. See more by visiting her website.

“Abandon” artist’s book made with handmade paper, book board, mirrors, wire, paper and LED lights. 8″ x 10″ x 8″ closed, 24″ x 26″ x 4″ open

I have always created things with paper. I love the flexibility and versatility and that I can use it to create experiences that are so much more than a poem or a painting could do on its own. The tactile aspect of paper art is something that has always fascinated me. I purposely make art that is intended for people to touch or interact with in some way.

“Decadent Bouquet” paper sculpture made with crepe papers, wire and spun cotton, 25″ x 15″ x 12″

When I first learned about artist’s books–where the form, materials, illustrations, words, and design all work together to create a bigger concept or an idea, I was so hooked. Being able to incorporate the way the book sounds like or feels like when you open it as part of the piece, gave me a way to make my poems come alive.

“I Came From Your Dreams” artist’s book made with handmade lokta paper, handmade daylily paper, cardstock, thread, ink and watercolor, 2″ x 3″ x 1.5″ closed, 2″ x 2″ x 14″ open

In college, I lost my mom and survived a dorm fire. I began making and sharing artist’s books about my experiences with grief, loss and resilience. Making that art helped me to find my way back to life, but sharing it really solidified my artistic calling. Being able to affect change in the way other people saw the world and their place in it was magical.

“The Paper Woman” paper Dress made with handmade kozo fiber, LED lights, wire, crepe paper, shimmer paper, velcro, satin, polyester and interfacing, 5′ x 3′ x 3′

After college, I ventured into doing larger-scale installations. I began working with kozo fiber to make big patchwork pieces of handmade paper embedded with LED lights. Then I hand-dyed the embedded sheets. Incorporating this technique with my other interactive art pieces led me to create The Paper Woman. This was a wearable handmade kozo fiber paper dress embedded with functional LED lights. A poem flowed down the back like a corset of vines.

“The Paper Woman” dress detail shot

I created an interactive art experience for the audience with the model moving around the room in the dress while simultaneously hearing a performance of the poem live. Bringing art to people who may have never been inside an art gallery helps to create new audiences and involves the community in the work.

“It Comes in Waves” interactive paper sculpture made with handmade kozo paper, LED lights, mica, foam core, batik paper and an oscillating fan,  7′ x 4′ x 11″

Eight years ago, I started working with crepe paper to make paper sculptures. I felt like it was such a different art form. All paper has memory, but crepe paper can stretch and be manipulated into different shapes. It is similar to clay or other sculptural materials, and really expanded what I was capable of doing with paper. Aside from creating realistic paper flowers and other botanicals, I have also started making paper birds, animals and larger abstract sculptures.

“Basil The Bird” paper sculpture: crepe paper, styrofoam peanuts, spun cotton and wire,  7″ x 5″ x 12″

More recently, I have been combining all of these techniques into bigger experiential community artworks. I’ve always had some kind of political or social issue addressed in my work. This typically has to do with the environment, women’s rights and LGBTQAI+ rights. I have also used my art to address issues of overcoming grief and trauma. I plan to continue to use my art to affect positive change in the world and to bring art directly to the people.