L.L. Gross

Blue with Paulownia base

16”H x 6”W x 4”D
Paulownia leaf and wood, washi paper

Purple with Paulownia base

16”H x 6”W x 4”D
Paulownia leaf and wood, washi paper

Paulownia leaf as Chinese scholar stone

13”H x 6”W x 3”D
Paulownia leaf, washi leaf, wood base

Leaf crotch

23”H x26”W x 24”D, Paulownia leaf and wood, washi paper

Four leaves and a gourd, red/green/yellow

25”L x 10”H x 5”D
paulownia leaf, self grown gourd, washi paper

Four leaves and a gourd, green/purple/blue

30”L x 14”H x 5”D
Paulownia laves, self grown gourd, washi paper

Green leaf grid

36” x 36” x 8” D
Paulownia leaf, self grown gourds, washi paper, wood grid

Yellow totem with wood

81”H, x 12”W x 7”D
Paulownia leaf and wood, washi paper, metal base and rod

Reed wall piece with leaf and gourd

46”W x 21”H, x 10”D
phragmites see, Paulownia leaf, self grown gourd, washi paper

Six leaf mobile

40” x 40”
Paulownia leaf, washi paper, wire

Although Paulownia trees grow around Philadelphia’s Logan Circle and in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, they are more often found in empty lots, along the railroad tracks, growing through sidewalk cracks and even out of old brick buildings.

I use these leaves, their wood and other natural invasive materials as templates for paper sculpture. The long strong fibers of Washi paper are supple enough to capture the subtlety of these ephemeral forms and strong enough to transform them into lightweight durable work.

The collection, cleaning, bleaching and naturally drying of leaves is a lengthy process, as is the layering of the washi paper. Displayed individually, in groups, on the wall and in the air, I seek to combine the delights of the world of art with awareness of the invasive species changing the landscape.

Instagram: @lindalorriegross