By Betty A. Little, Killington Arts Guild
posted
Apr 25, 2012
The art of scherenschnitte (German for scissor cuttings) is more
unique than most art techniques, perhaps, but it is no less
impressive. Edith Johnstone, known by most as "Edie," has been
practicing this art for the past 27 years and had her work has been
published and displayed extensively.
Johnstone has loved art all her life and has worked in many
different media. She also taught elementary school and is an
enthusiastic Killington Arts Guild member.
Born in Pennsylvania, Edie, graduated from George School where she
took art and Pembroke College, (now Brown University,) which
included a year at the Rhode Island School of Design, married Bob
Johnstone, had 3 children-now adults- and moved to Vermont in
1967.
She taught art in the Sherburne Elementary School (now Killington
Elementary) for all grades, 1970 to 1984. "'You're the best art
teacher I ever had' was something the children told me." Edie
remembers, "Of course, at that point I was the only art teacher
they had had. But I'm sure that I learned as much from the many
children as they learned from me."
Since 2006, she has volunteered Friday afternoons in art classes at
KES.
In 1985, a German friend sent her some scherenschnitte (scissor
cuttings.) "I loved that technique and started doing it using my
own designs. Mostly I am self-taught but I took a course at
Fletcher Farm," she said. Adding, "I'm a member of the Guild of
American Papercutters and get their magazine, FirstCut, so I see a
large variety of styles and cuttings. Many of my paper cuttings
have been printed in that magazine. All are original designs." For
a contest in that magazine she created a cutting "Pets." Almost all
the animals in it have been, at one time or another, her
pets.
For many years Edie did egg painting, and taught over glaze china
painting to adults in her home; she has demonstrated: paper cutting
at Art and Antiques on Center (Rutland), in the after school art
program at the Sherburne Library and to KAG.
She introduced ATC (Artist's Trading Cards) to the Guild. I still
remember the wonderful time we had drawing, cutting and pasting.
She brought all the materials needed and was so enthusiastic.
On June 9, Edie will be one of the KAG artists demonstrating at the
Vermont Maturity Magazine event at the Grand Hotel. Yes, she will
be teaching and doing paper cutting. Mark your calendar!
Her work is at the KAG gallery, Art and Antiques on Center
(Rutland), Truly Unique (Rutland) and the Original General Store
(Pittsfield).
Tagged:
KAG, Killington Arts Guild
