Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Love is in the Air(port) in Dallas TX

Love takes to the air tomorrow from Dallas Love Field with the dedication of the Quilled Paper Heart Forever stamps as the 44th inductee into the Postal Service’s Love stamp series.  
The stamp features a heart created using the ancient art of quilling — also called paper filigree — which involves rolling and shaping narrow strips of paper, laying them on their edges, and gluing them in place to form intricate designs. The origin of the name “quilling” is believed to have come from the first tool used to create the paper curls — the base of a feather or quill. (The photo of the stamp above right provides scale to the original three-dimensional 8”x10” artwork.) 
“Thousands of travelers at Love Field will take flight to destinations across the nation and around the globe,” said Postal Service Corporate Communications Vice President Janice Walker who will dedicate the stamp. “Our beautiful Quilled Paper Heart Forever Love stamp evokes tranquility, peace and love as Americans correspond with beloved friends and family while away from home. And they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day cards.”  
Scheduled to join Walker in the ceremony are:  City of Dallas Director of Aviation Mark Duebner; Postal Service Dallas District Manager Timothy Costello and Postal Service Acting Director of Stamp Services Mary-Anne Penner.

Creating the Art
Renowned paper artist and illustrator Yulia Brodskaya used two simple materials — paper and glue — an intricate technique, that involved placing carefully cut and bent strips of paper to make the lush, vibrant, three-dimensional paper heart artwork. The heart shape in the center is made from paper strips of appealing, eye-catching bright colors surrounded by white paper swirls. The background is white with shadows cast by the dimensional pieces of quilled paper.  

Quilling is believed to date from the 15th or 16th century. The first known quillers were monks and nuns in European religious houses. Inspired by metal filigree, quilling was an inexpensive way to create elaborate decorations normally beyond the means of most churches and religious orders. When gilded or silvered, the curled paper could resemble the work of the finest goldsmiths and silversmiths, while designs made with cream-colored paper or vellum appeared to be carvings of ivory.

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