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Cats, cats, cats!
Mary Ellen Palmeri
Welcome to our monthly "Origami Page". Origami is folding paper and ending up with delightful figures and models, such as flowers, boxes and animals. This feature will showcase a different origami model in each monthly issue, with diagrams and photos to help readers learn how to fold them. Most models use one square of paper, some use a rectangle, and others use more than one piece of paper.
Cats, cats, cats! Last month began the Year of the Dog, so this month I'm offering the other side of the spectrum - something for cat lovers! Cats symbolically carry the notion of supposedly having "nine lives". This old belief probably originated because cats are extremely agile, flexible, and react quickly as they stalk prey from high places, and when they fall they often land on their feet.
The Cat Spirit generally represents patience while waiting for the right moment to act. Cats also represent independence but also enjoying social connections. Other associations are a spirit of adventure, courage, a deep connection with self, and - of course - curiosity! This last attribute can translate into an exploration of the unknown.
Despite some beliefs that black cats are unlucky, several cultures believe black cats are LUCKY! This is the case in Britain and Ireland where people believe they bring good luck, and people often have little black cat figures for good luck. So fold a black origami cat to give to your friends as a good luck charm!
By the way, all of the origami cats pictured here were folded from 4" memo-cube paper!
Happy Folding!
Origami originated in ancient Asian cultures and has been adapted by contemporary artists worldwide to reflect their own cultures. Local artist Mary Ellen Palmeri has incorporated paper folding into many of her mixed media art paintings, and teaches origami classes locally and nationally. Some of her work can be seen in a Tucson Happenings feature here: Artist_Profile
All of her Paper Dream Paintings can be seen in her Etsy shop where custom matted art prints of her original work can be purchased. Go to: www.etsy.com/shop/LyricFineArts
Ms. Palmeri's original origami models have been published in books and magazines, she has been featured on broadcast media, and her mixed-media fine art works often include various original origami models. Origami LAFF (Lyric Arts Folding Fest) is a Tucson based club founded by Ms. Palmeri to provide a venue for sharing this art. The group meets monthly at a local library; for more details please contact the artist at info@lyric-arts.com
