Dorchester artist | Dorchester Arts Collaborative

Two years ago, artist and archaeologist Joe Bagley took a bump in the road and turned it into an opportunity to pursue his passion. He’s so good at it that he has been featured in the Boston Globe and on Daily Candy.

Come see his amazingly intricate papercut artwork at the Dorchester Arts Collaborative Open Studios on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, from noon to 5 p.m.

His story:

“I’m 25 and a professional archaeologist moonlighting as an artist. When I was laid off from my digging job back in 2008 I took a long-time hobby of papercutting and went full time. After months of market research, business book reading, brainstorming, and finally producing, I created a successful art business online.

“I live with my wife of three years, Jen, in Columbia Point, Dorchester. I create my art during layoffs (archaeology is seasonal) and in the evenings, which usually translates to having two 40-plus hour jobs going at the same time.

“I started papercutting as a hobby when I was 10, creating one to two pieces a year (all copies of other papercutters’ work). In 2007 I began experimenting with my own designs and created my own signature style. I’ve been full time since 2008.

“I work exclusively in black paper. I love the sound it makes when I cut it. I love how clean the final piece looks. I love how it appears finished from the moment you cut it. I also like how easy it is to clean up.

“I call my style the ‘New American’ style of papercutting. It’s a very old medium with TONS of traditional regional styles (scherenschnitte, wycinanki, monkiri, papel picado, etc). My work is large-scale, extremely detailed, and I have noticed a trend of my work having a very triangular shape. Not sure why I’m drawn to that, but it’s definitely noticeable.

“I’m inspired by nature, dramatic shadows, layered textures, old and new architecture, clean lines, silhouettes, anything that would translate well into paper.”

At Open Studios, Joe will be featuring one-of-a-kind large works, as well as affordable 8 x 10 designs that he calls “Just For Funs.”

This is the first time Joe will be exhibiting at Open Studios, so he’s looking forward to it: “I have done a bunch of shows in Boston, but never really got to show in my home neighborhood. I love the DOT and really look forward to meeting other local artist and my neighbors.”

See more of Papercuts By Joe:

Store: www.papercutsbyjoe.etsy.com

Website: www.papercutsbyjoe.com

Please leave us a comment and tell us what you think of Joe’s work.