Between painting alongside my grandmother and watching my father build reproduction antique furniture, I grew up seeing no distinction between fine art and craft. What mattered was that things were made by hand and done well. It is with that in mind that I create my hand cut paper pieces. Each of my papercuts is cut by hand from a single sheet of paper using a knife. My cityscapes are based on photos I’ve taken in my neighborhood and all over the world. While I am best known for my ability to capture thin tangles of powerlines and intricate brickwork, I also enjoy experimenting with novel media such as paper plates and paper towels. I delights in bringing a modern, urban perspective to a traditional folk medium.

I live in Baltimore with her husband and chihuahuas, Chalupa and Refrito. To see more of my work please visit www.rosaleff.com or find me on Instagram @rosaleff (https://www.instagram.com/rosaleff/?hl=en).

More info: Instagram

“Close Enough,” Hand Cut Paper Towel, 12×12″.

My grandmother always set the table with the good silver and lace trimmed napkins. But these days I’m more of a paper towels and trying to keep my plate away from the dogs while sitting on the couch kinda girl. Which, IMHO, is close enough.

“Let Them Eat Plate,” Hand Cut Paper Plate, 12×12″.

As a kid I’d sometimes pack myself lunches of rotten food or things that the mice had gotten to first. I’d throw them away as soon as I got to school and tell my friends I wasn’t hungry. I remember crying uncontrollably at school one day because I was so hungry but being filled with shame and unwilling to tell my friends what was wrong. When my parents got paid we’d fill a shopping cart to the brim with much more than we could use and eat our fill as the majority of the groceries spoiled in the fridge. My family wasn’t concerned with keeping up with the Joneses but we binged luxury, alternating between some of the best restaurants and scavenging whatever we could find in the pantry that hadn’t gone “too” off. Whatever dinner was, we ate in our beautiful Victorian dining room filled with period antiques which was the inspiration for this plate. But, as people are losing their income and others hoard food it seems to have taken on a whole new meaning.

“Rest In Pizza,” Hand Cut Paper, 20×30″.

I used to eat at this Pizza Hut all the time! After years of being a way I returned to discover that not only had it closed, but it had been covered in graffiti and weeds had taken over. It’s perfect!

“Elevated Crossroads,” Hand Cut Paper, 16×20″.

This papercut is based on a photo I took in Kyoto. I ran right to the middle of the intersection as soon as I saw these lanterns and power lines. I tried to take my photo quickly so I didn’t hold up traffic for too long, but it had to be done!

“Like Mother,” Hand Cut Paper Towel, 12×12″.

I’m beginning to think that “the right way” of doing things is all wrong. This papercut is for all of the apples who rolled far, far away from the trees.

“Before The Rush,” Hand Cut Paper, 16×20″.

I took the photo this papercut is based on while I was in Xi’an, China for my first international exhibition. This is the Muslim Quarter which is flooded with people all day and well into the evening. I had to get there bright and early, while folks were still setting up their shops, in order to capture this peaceful moment.

“Noel Sameach,” Hand Cut Paper.

On Hanukkah Jews wish each other a “Hanukkah Sameach” (Happy Hanukkah). This piece, Noel Sameach (Happy Christmas) was inspired by the tradition of eating Chinese food and watching movies with my Jewish family on Christmas Day.

“Eff This,” Hand Cut Paper Towel, 12×12″.

I was having a bad case of the Mondays this and was feeling all “Eff This,” but then I got into an argument with a 5 yr old over what kind of profession a unicorn would have and it made me feel much better feeling much better.

“Employee Of The Month,” Hand Cut Paper.

I got the idea for this piece after seeing a Hooters Girl place a birthday crown on a small child. It got me thinking about the crowns I used to get from Burger King way back, and the highly contentious debate surrounding participation trophies. This “Employee Of the Month” crown is full of craft beers, lattes and other things Boomers like to complain about us millennial blow our cash on.

“Employee Of The Month,” Hand Cut Paper.

“Everybody’s Doing It,” Hand Cut Paper Wendy’s Cup.

Who among us hasn’t poured a refreshing adult beverage into a paper cup before going for a stroll? As far as I can tell, the only good thing that’s come out of this pandemic is to go cocktails. Here’s hoping they’re here to stay!

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“Everybody’s Doing It,” Hand Cut Paper Wendy’s Cup.

“Everybody’s Doing It,” Hand Cut Paper Wendy’s Cup.

“Last Call,” Hand Cut Paper, 16×20″.

This papercut is based on a photo I took of “The Block” in Baltimore. The Block is chock full of strip clubs, lingerie stores, and sex shops. Notably, Police Headquarters is at the top of the block. As I was taking the photographs for this piece I could see folks slipping inside while whisper-shouting “She’s taking pictures!” Sorry if I interrupted your smoke break folks!

“Look Honey, I Cooked,” Hand Cut Paper Plate, 12×12″.

If my fella didn’t love cooking I’d probably starve. That’s probably over-dramatic…. but I’d definitely eat too much takeout without him.

“Shameless,” Hand Cut Paper Towel, 12×12″.

My old “day job” had THE BEST paper towels for papercutting. I grabbed a pack before I quit and I am not ashamed. Before that discovery I’d had to test out the paper towels in every public restroom I used and stash potential candidates in my purse.

“To Begin Again,” Hand Cut Paper Plate, 12×12″.

I usually love high contrast papers in my work, but the simplicity of this piece really forces you to look closely to catch all the details. There’s some sort of good parallel in there about self-reflection and looking within. Some of my best papercuttting ideas come to my while meditating.

“Sorry, Not Sorry,” Hand Cut Paper Plate, 12×12″.

It’s been about 6 years since I’ve spoken to my mother, and my father has hardly spoken to me for the past couple of years. In this piece I see all of that toxicity, but also a realization that for many of us (and for better or worse) adulthood isn’t what we thought it’d be. I could go on, but my point is that this cut was equal parts stressful and fulfilling.

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