Janus and the Zig-Zag Lady

Above: Peter Lloyd’s sketch for a proposed paper-cut

Peter and I continue to collaborate on our paper-cutting project. He’s just completed a head, and I’m working on the drawing for its lower half, prior to getting busy with the scalpel and black paper.

Peter’s Janus-head in progress.

The finished cut, with my drawing for the body below it.

My inspiration for the lower part came from the old stage illusion of the zig-zag lady.

I’ve added in a sprinkle of burlesque, played on the duality of Peter’s bi-gendered head facing in two directions, and referenced the Goddess Kali in the multiple arms, each hand clutching a phone.

Of course this may yet all change. The fun of projects like this is that the ideas flow as a part of the collaborative process, and the studies proliferate.

Sometimes the roughest sketches are the ones I get the most out of. The one below is my favourite, though it’s pretty scrappy!

Today I start cutting.

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