Paulina M. Johnson demonstrates her three-dimensional paper techniques at Raitman Art Galleries’ North Breckenridge location July 24-25 July 18 2026, 0 Comments

By Kimberly Nicoletti

If you’ve ever wondered exactly how Paulina M. Johnson creates her intricately designed paper portraits of the natural world, she demonstrates it at Raitman Art Galleries’ North Breckenridge location the afternoons of July 24 and July 25, 2026. Each day, she’ll show people how different weights and textures of paper come into play and how she attaches the various strips. And perhaps the best part: You can touch it all.

Gore Range diptych by Paulina M. Johnson

Her six most recent pieces, one of which is a diptych, portray the stunning peaks spanning from Breckenridge to her home in Steamboat Springs. 

“Mountains themselves — the structure, the forms, the shapes — are super intriguing to me,” she said.

Dillon Reservoir by Paulina M. Johnson

Four other pieces focus more on color exploration — a feat that’s quite challenging when turning a piece of paper on edge; each strip’s color behaves completely different when it’s showcased three-dimensionally, as opposed to flat. Upright, they interact with angles of light and other environmental factors.

“The strips of paper interact not only with themselves as far as how the color is affected, but also with the background, so you can get a range of hues — all kinds of different colors in between the strips of paper based on what is happening with the lighting around them,” Paulina M. Johnson said.

Deep Roots by Paulina M. Johnson

For instance, she might work with only three shades of green, but once she stands them up on end, they often turn out looking more like 10 different hues. Currently, she’s working with a more neutral palette, from soft beige to navy blue.

Cobalt and Butter by Paulina M. Johnson

Since it takes years of experience to try to predict what shades will emerge, she has approached it cautiously. 

“There have been times when I pick colors that look great two-dimensionally, but once I make them interact three-dimensionally, it looks horrible,” she said, explaining how even strips that appear to be the same shade of white when lying flat suddenly reveal tinges of blues, yellows or other pigments within the fibers. In other words, three-dimensionality accentuates any discoloration or hues.

All of her experiments have increased her ability to choose the most appropriate three-dimensional shades. 

Every piece she creates, whether it focuses more on color exploration, wildlife or landscapes, moves with the viewers, presenting shifting shadows, highlights and hues, due to the contrast between the strips of paper. 

Mint and Coral by Paulina M. Johnson

“There are a lot of cool surprises, which is what keeps me coming back for more. It’s just so fun,” she said.

She began working with paper in grad school after already carving out a career as a graphic designer and instructor. When she discovered paper quilling, an art form that originated during the Renaissance and involves rolling, shaping and gluing thin strips of paper together to generate intricate designs, she decided to take it a step further and work with the strips in a more linear fashion.

In addition to physically enjoying the feel of working with the natural product, she appreciates the beauty and the humble quality of paper.

“It’s not pretentious in any way,” she said. “There are so many expressions about a blank sheet of paper, and it can be positive or negative, but it's so unassuming.”

Mount Guyot by Paulina M. Johnson

In a world brimming with loud opinions and tension, Paulina M. Johnson hopes to bring more serenity to viewers. 

She truly believes in the power and magic of paper: For thousands of years, it has held humanity’s wisdom and artistic visions. For her, paper is both the story and the storyteller in a work of art. 

Channeling her love for nature, she quiets her mind and begins working with her hands, “listening” to the paper, or following it, as it literally moves into relationship with its environment, springing to life beyond a flat surface, into a rich, textural world.