Shadow Box Stories
Building Dimensional Worlds One Layer at a Time
Recently, I shared my journey of rediscovering collage, a medium I once loved but left behind due to the pressure of having a single, consistent artistic style. That post marked a turning point in reclaiming the joy and freedom of mixed media, and it’s led me down an exciting new path: creating shadow box pieces that bring collage into a whole new dimension.
These shadow box pieces begin as all my work does: with a simple sketch. It’s in those early lines that the concept begins to take form. From there, I individually draw and paint each element of the design on separate sheets of watercolor paper. Every element, every figure, every background is hand-painted with intention, allowing me to fully explore texture, color, and detail.
Once the components are complete, the most meticulous part of the process begins: cutting. I use my trusty X-Acto to painstakingly cut out every element. This step is both meditative and intense, requiring a steady hand and a lot of patience. But there's something incredibly satisfying about watching each piece slowly become it’s own element.
What truly sets these works apart is the dimensionality. Instead of laying everything flat, I carefully plan how each piece will be spaced from the background. Some elements are raised just slightly, while others hover higher, casting gentle shadows and creating depth that draws the viewer in. The layering isn’t just visual—it adds a sense of movement and story to the piece, as if the elements are interacting in a suspended moment of time.
Each decision about spacing is intentional. The way a galaxy flows through a hand, or how a whale floats toward the foreground, these choices contribute to the overall composition and the emotional impact of the piece. It turns a traditional watercolor painting into something sculptural, immersive, and almost dreamlike.
This process continues to evolve. I’m still learning the best ways to scan and photograph these multi-dimensional works in order to reproduce them as prints without losing the depth and magic of the originals. It’s an ongoing journey, but one I’m thrilled to be on!
Creating these shadow box pieces feels like a full-circle moment in my art practice, a blend of everything I love: detailed painting, the tactile process of collage, and the emotional pull of layered storytelling. I can’t wait to keep exploring where this path leads next.
Purchase these shadow boxes here!
