Meet Justine Curran | Paper Weaver & Collage Artists

We had the good fortune of connecting with Justine Curran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Justine, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Have you ever had a project that just wasn’t turning out the way you saw it in your mind? You just want to tear it up and start over? Well, that is how I discovered my love for paper weaving.

My evolution into woven painted paper and collage allowed me to mix my love of color, texture and fearless ability to chop up my work to make something new. This art form has allowed me to challenge the boundaries of art making knowing that something beautiful will always come from taking risks.

L . Vittoria started when I decided to cut up past colorful abstract paintings and weaving them back together. My interest in collage came shortly after when I explored the pages of old books and scrap papers. Using books and comics as a weaving medium has allowed me to add a new layer of story to my work. Each piece I create has hidden images and words that pair with the bird that is perched with them.

As we keep moving towards a “paperless” society I finds myself collecting each used book and comic I find to archive its contents in my work. At first I was nervous to cut their pages, knowing it was the only one of its kind, but I am amazed every time at the new life that comes to the page when it is woven with another. When cut images are layered with one another. The story and emotions of that moment in time are captured in the work. The risk is always worth the stories people share with me when they look at them.

We all have a story and I hopes these works speak to yours.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Once I started paper weaving I’ve had a hard time going back to other art forms. All I think is “this will look so much cooler with a woven texture!” I have not met many artists who use or know paper weaving so sometimes I feel like I am in a little corner of the art world few have found. It is exciting though since I am able to teach my viewers a lot about the technique and have started to create tutorial videos to pass on my love of weaving. There are days creating is easy and there are days where I second guess if I should be chopping up my paper treasures. The biggest thing I have learned is to find an art community to be a part of. Yes, imposter syndrome is real. Yes, sometimes as an artist our ego can get in the way and we ask ourselves “why do I need to take more classes or spend money on memberships?” But when I finally signed up for my first market and joined my first collage club all those thoughts melted away. I even felt a little silly for having them in the first place. I gained so many new supportive friends and inspirations. I had people who understood where I was coming from as an art business owner that I could talk out ideas with. The biggest lesson I learned was that I had something to offer these people as well. While I thought I was only there to learn and gain knowledge I missed that I too was inspiring and teaching them. No matter what you do in life put yourself at the table. Your voice and story matters. When I second guess my brands style changing I remind myself that L . Vittoria is a moment in time. Each piece is capturing what I am thinking and feeling without me even realizing it. I love creating art for others and capturing their stories. We all need art in our homes, why not have a piece that starts a visual conversation?

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Every adventure should involve donuts! Few know my Maine adventure road map so I am excited to have you as a part of L . Vittoria’s favorite things.

I hope you are an early bird because our first stop is Lil’s in Kittery. I always get their famous cruller of the day and a latte. Next stop is Arundel Antique Village where I find comic books for my weavings. After an hour (or two) of exploring it is time for donut number 2! If you are in Maine, Frosty’s Donuts is a must. I always get the blueberry and Boston creme. Then it’s off to my second stop for used book treasures, Cabot Mills Antiques, right down the street from Frosty’s.

Maine is by far my favorite place to find inspiration. The people are kind, the food scene is amazing, the coffee art is beautiful and there is never a bad place to stop when you’re driving up the coast for a beach walk. Be sure to roll down the windows and breath in that salty air.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When naming my art business I knew immediately it would be dedicated to my mom in some way. L . Vittoria is her first initial and middle name in Italian. She was always putting craft supplies in my hands, probably to keep me from ripping the wall paper in my room into designs or drawing on the hallway walls. She knew nothing would stop me from being an artist. While many tried to steer my interests in different directions and encourage me to get a “practical” job, I knew the art life was for me. I am so thankful for my mom, my theater family, my PLS family and all of my friends who are my forever cheerleaders of me and the L . Vittoria journey.

Also, I thank the birds. If I wasn’t so afraid of you I would have never had a muse to capture in my art.

Website: https://lvittoria.square.site/

Instagram: L_Vittoria_