Paper Bag Art

Paper Bag Art

This body of work is created using everyday materials—grocery store paper bags, India ink, acrylic, and Mod Podge—built up in layers to create depth, texture, and movement.

I begin with drawing directly onto the paper, then stain and saturate the surface with ink and paint. The paper absorbs everything—wrinkles, seams, and imperfections become part of the final image. Layers are sealed and reworked, creating a surface that feels closer to leather or hide than paper.

The process is intuitive and physical. I’m not trying to control every mark—I’m working with what the material does. The staining, bleeding, and texture carry their own energy, and the imagery emerges through that.

These pieces often explore formline, faces, ocean beings, and transformation—built through repetition, layering, and time.

Using paper bags keeps the work accessible and grounded. It strips things back to materials that are everywhere, while still holding depth, story, and presence.