Personal Stories Turn Into Paper Art Handmade by Julie VonDerVellen
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Meet Julie VonDerVellen: She’s an artist who puts family first and can’t get enough of the lakes in the Midwest. The volleyball enthusiast also happens to hold a master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. VonDerVellen tells us how she weaves art and stories together:
"I love spring and summer in Madison, Wis., specifically the Memorial Union Terrace, “Concerts on the Square” and the farmers’ markets," said VonDerVellen, in her studio. Photo credit: SV Heart Photograpy
Julie: My work began with personal stories and journal entries, and progressed to working with narratives written by my friends and family. I collaborated with each author to recreate their stories, such as running a full marathon, finding a wedding dress, preparations for a blind date to a barn dance and a high school prom disaster:
"Great Prom Saga, shoes." Photo credit: Jim Escalante
“This is the story (photo above) of how I ended up having one date, then two dates and then no dates to my senior prom and the valuable life lessons I learned in the process. I decided to ask Nate to the prom. I cornered him in the Student Council office, not really thinking that he would agree. Suddenly there he was saying yes, and there I was thinking, hmm, now I seem to have two dates to the prom.” –Christine B.
My research expands upon traditional storytelling and memoir presentation. Significant moments and personal stories of friends and family are interwoven into handmade paper crafted from recycled cotton clothing. The paper, acting as fabric, is layered with a narrative specifically tailored to the event. The garments and shoes are recreations of actual attire surrounding each of the significant moments. My work attempts to redefine the commonplace book structure. The pieces reveal new beginnings, life lessons and notable achievements.
"'Foot in the Door' was built entirely from sheets of my resume. This piece was created to serve as an application to a graphic design position. The shoe was shipped along with a portfolio book to the design firm. 'Foot in the Door' is a replica of one of my favorite shoes, which I wore to the interview." said VonDerVellen. Photo credit: Jim Escalante
"'THE Shoes' is a supplemental piece to 'THE Dress,' which tells the story of the day my sister found her wedding dress," said VonDerVellen. Photo credit: Jim Escalante
"THE Dress."
"'26.2 Miles' recalls my friend Lindsay's experience of running her first full marathon. The entire story is printed on pages that function as the tongues of the shoes," VonDerVellen said. Photo credit: John Maniaci
"I have been blessed with a beautiful and supportive upbringing in the Midwest. I’ve also met the most genuine, caring, intelligent, talented and inspirational people while living here," VonDerVellen said. "The people in my life have influenced my work and motivated me to accomplish all that I’ve done. My family and friends are the most important aspect of my life, and I’m happy I was able to incorporate some of their stories and experiences into my artwork." Photo credit: SV Heart Photography
