It was a rainy midwinter afternoon on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia, and I was looking for something to keep our five-year-old occupied at home. With the outside world wrapped in a grey blanket, I sat with our daughter listening to the rhythmic sound of raindrops tapping on the glass. “What can we play, Mum?” she said. With a sheet of coloured paper in front of me, I was reminded of an age-old craft that has transcended generations: paper divination.
(Click here for instructions on how to make a paper fortune teller)
We sat down together to break down the art of making a fortune teller into bite-sized pieces. The cute little hands next to me were folding and tucking and figuring out how to place their fingers and thumbs in the back of the paper folds and move them around to create a fortune teller charm. Check out the link above if you’d like to learn how to make a paper fortune teller. It was like a throwback to my 80’s childhood for me. I also found that this simple afternoon activity sparked a creative journey that later inspired a new series of printable wall art prints.
Birth of a unique artistic idea: from craft to art
The paper fortune teller, with its simple geometric folds and promise of hidden messages, is a symbol of childhood curiosity and the beauty of unpredictability. And in that beautiful moment, as we watched our little girl’s eyes sparkle with anticipation as she revealed each fortune, the idea for a new wall art collection was born. I wanted to create a series of geometric wall art in pastel colors that would make her stare at it with curiosity, wonder, and awe. I wanted it to make her feel calm and free, just like the mood of a winter afternoon.
As a mother, I have always been drawn to the magical joy that children bring to the world. Their imaginations know no bounds, and their ability to find joy in the simplest things is something that we as adults often forget. The paper fortune teller reminded me of the power of play and the importance of nurturing creativity in our children. It was a moment I wanted to capture and share with others, not just as a memory, but as something tangible that could bring that same joy and connection to other homes.
Exploring the concept: geometric patterns and pastel colors
Inspired by the randomness and endless possibilities of paper divination, I began to experiment with geometric patterns. Each fold of paper, each crease that transformed a flat sheet of paper into a three-dimensional object, became an opportunity to repeat an artistic process. The idea of repeating a single concept, taking something familiar and exploring its multiple facets, became the basis for this wall art collection.
Geometric patterns have always been a particular draw to me. There is something magical about symmetry, balance, and the way simple shapes can come together to create something complex and beautiful. In this collection, I have taken these geometric principles and combined them with soft, muted pastel tones, creating visually stunning and serene pieces.
Each print in the collection plays with different shapes – triangles, squares, and circles, individually arranged in patterns reminiscent of the folds and creases of a paper fortune teller. The use of pastel colors was intentional as these colors evoke a sense of calm and are often associated with childhood, making them perfect for children’s decor. Whether it’s the soft blush of pink, the gentle whisper of mint, or the calm blue of a summer sky, each color has been chosen to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
Here is the final result, hope you like it.
Fox XO
