Interview with Oco Origami

Tell us about yourself.

“I grew up in Nebraska, moved a few times growing up, and now live in California. I have always been interested in the arts. I did some quilling when I was in high school. I also enjoyed collecting pinecones and tree branches to make them into ornaments. I also liked to draw and paint. My mom taught us how to crochet and embroider. I have a few sets of embroidered towels, have quite a few afghans, snowflakes for our Christmas tree and a lot more. In our neighborhood, my mom entertained the kids with craft projects like making snake magnets, painting figurines – she could also sketch and has a great eye for color. My dad did paint by numbers – and he is amazing with the scroll saw which he started when he was in his 70s. I can still spend HOURS in a craft store just browsing and trying not to buy everything I see. I am also a reader and was an English major in college so am very interested in the written word and have tried my hand at Haiku which is a very nice compliment to the art of Origami. Creative expression is such a wonderful outlet. Once you sit down and get started on a project you can get lost in the process and forget everything else.”

How did you begin creating with paper?

“I started quilling when I was in high school and loved it. I still do that on occasion. I ran into some patterns and the paper when we were out shopping. Mom probably took us to a craft store for embroidery floss and I wandered off. I still have a few of the pieces I made— a strawberry and an orange. My sister loved going to museums and I believe we were in college when she sent me an origami book for Christmas. I didn’t do anything with it but kept finding it every time I re-organized my closet. I eventually tried it but gave up. Then, about 5 years ago, I decided to try again. Things have changed so much that I turned to the Internet and followed a YouTube tutorial to learn how to fold a crane. I still am not great at following and reading diagrams but have found so many amazing tutorials that I started with cranes and moved on from there. The cranes were a passion for awhile and I made a ton of Origami crane earrings. And then, I decided to try other models and it has been a passion ever since. I still need to learn how to fold from diagrams and that is next on my list of things to challenge myself to do.”

Why origami?

“The history of Origami is intriguing as is the meaning behind the crane. To be able to make art that is part of such an ancient tradition is wonderful. And the different types of paper you can fold with that make each piece so beautiful and unique makes every piece interesting to fold. When you really start looking at paper and designs and then origami models it can be overwhelming to even know what to do next. I love the diversity of what you can fold. You can make origami for holidays, for entertaining, for gift giving, for décor – the possibilities are endless and there is something for everyone. I also find origami extremely relaxing. I fold while we are watching TV at night or with music in the background. I’m a multi-tasker so, for me, it helps me shut down the noise. Even though, I’m still doing more than one thing at a time it’s pure joy and creativity—it really does help me relax. And it’s just so much fun to pick the next paper and start the next project. I try to keep everything in one space, but the paper seems to follow me.”

Made with our Colored Paper!

Made with our Colored Paper!

Where do you get your inspiration to create your designs?

“I spent a lot of time on Instagram. I have saved so many images of wonderful creations and designs made by origami folders and designers. I find inspiration from nature as well. I have tried to imitate the colors, the natural designs, to make origami with a purpose or no purpose at all, just to fold and enjoy the process and where it leads.”

What has been your most challenging creation?

“The first time I tried to fold a Bascetta star it took me hours. I was up until 3 AM and wouldn’t step away until I got it. It was the first time I tried something that was a bit more difficult and it wasn’t the folding of the pieces that got me but putting it together. And it’s no offence to the tutorial but, after trying it, I had the epiphany that I didn’t need to assemble models the same way they were taught. It was almost backwards from the way I do it now. I would say to anyone learning Origami that you should learn from a tutorial or diagram but then it is ultimately up to you on how to fold and assemble. Watch how a few different people create a piece and you’ll see more than one way to accomplish the goal which is a finished model. Don’t give up!!!! This is now one of my absolute favorite pieces to fold and I’m so glad I didn’t give up.”

Made with our Colored Paper!

Made with our Colored Paper!

Any advice for someone interested in learning how to make origami crafts?

“Start! Just start folding. It doesn’t matter where you start. I was not interested in doing some of the projects that could be considered beginning projects. So, find what you want to make and give it a try. Then try it again and again until you master it. Your first attempt may not be perfect, but you will absolutely get there with practice.”

With all of the different options available to express one’s creativity, why do you choose paper?

“Paper is, in itself, art. So many different colors, patterns, weights, and uses. And I feel that paper is a moving and living art. Since it comes from trees, I feel like I am extending the life of the tree by using paper to create yet another piece of art. And it allows for so many types of expression. To start with a flat sheet of paper and make it into something as beautiful as a piece of origami is still something, I am passionate about. And I want to continue to find my own way use origami to reflect different emotions and to celebrate the art of folding. Learning to fold is the first step and then allowing yourself to use it for your own message and expression is next. I’m still finding my way in that regard.”

What other projects/endeavors are you working on?

“So many things on my list. I want to draw my own designs and then fold them. I want to find more ways to incorporate other arts into origami. I embroidered the wing of one crane, for instance and would love to try that again. I want to teach origami. I was able to teach a class at our local library before the virus and was in heaven. I also taught a class at a retirement village and everyone loved it. To be able to demonstrate origami, to teach it, to see others become passionate about it or just enjoy making their first piece of origami was wonderful. I’m hoping to do that again. I also have a few ideas for installations that I would love to pursue. Grand ideas that just need to have some support to implement. If folding origami, teaching and creating could be my avocation and occupation, my dream would have come true.”

Be sure to follow Christine on Instagram to see more of her origami art!

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