Without ever seeing her blog posts about music, one can sense the lyricism in Angie Pickman's cut paper work. I've told her -- and I am being sincere -- that she has redefined my sense of black paper and negative space. Given that she does post on occasion about music and that her artwork titles sometimes refer to birdsong, I asked her how music influences her visual art. And to my pleasure she replied.

How would you describe your visual art?

I make cut paper art which basically entails cutting images out of paper by hand with an x-acto knife. In a nutshell, each work is sort of like a little dream or song or poem of an infinite moment of something beautiful, and I often portray that whimsically. Nature is always present.

Does music influence your creative process?

My work is definitely influenced by music I hear -- perhaps how a song makes me feel, or a message within a song and I might try to convey those things within a paper cutting. I've realized that the same genres of art that I am most interested in and are most reflected in my own art are parallel with the same genres of music that I love most: folk, 60s, psychedelic, country. When it comes to actually making the art, I often work in silence because it's a good time for me to disconnect from my thoughts and just go with my own creative flow. If I do listen to music when I'm working, it's usually something that reflects my energy level or can help my mind relax. I often put on repeat a few songs by ambient pedal steel guitarist Bruce Kaphan.

What are some of your earliest memories of music shaping your work?

I always knew I wanted to be an artist, but I've always connected so much more to music ever since I can remember. I just didn't have that burning desire to communicate with it like I did with art. I grew up in a house with my mom and brother who are both classically trained musicians. I took various music lessons for about 10 years myself. When I turned about 13 or 14 years old, I really started to develop particular tastes and an appreciation for certain kinds of music, and I found that the things that I was listening to were saying the things that I wanted to say or didn't know how to say. In a way, when I found my art many years later, I found my instrument.

What role does music play today?

Today, music is sort of like a hobby to me. I love searching for music that I haven't heard before, looking through used record bins, going through youtube videos.. Finding songs that I really connect to is akin to making new artwork that really conveys more than I thought it would. They're both really powerful experiences for me.

Are there any musicians at this moment particularly inspiring you?

There's so much different music that I like and listen to on a regular basis that what inspires me momentarily might change momentarily... I'll name a few musicians whose work I feel a real connection to and really holds a lot of the same qualities that I aspire for my artwork to hold: Gene Clark, a fellow midwesterner-- I can feel the intensity of his emotion in his music; Richard Buckner because his music is so personal; Mississippi John Hurt can sing a powerful message with an incredibly soft voice; Jorma Kaukonen for the mastery of his guitar; and Neal Casal for all of the above. If I could turn my paper cuttings into songs, I'd want them to sound like his.

If people want to view more of your work, what are the key venues or websites for them to visit?

You can find me online at:
http://www.ruralpearl.com
http://www.facebook.com/cutpaperart