Featured Artist: Thepapercrane

If you feel tied down by phone cords, computer wires, and the burden of our tech-heavy lives, then it’s time to unplug with this week’s Featured Artist. The artist Rick Crane, or Thepapercrane, shares, “I like to appreciate and honor the simple things in life like the sun, rivers, mountains, trees and birds.” Thepapercrane’s nature-inspired artwork – with soothing colors and clean geometric lines – allows viewers to disconnect from the tech world and step outside, feel the sun on their face, and enjoy a moment lost in nature.

Rick Crane lives in Pembrokeshire, Wales in the United Kingdom and prefers to “explore the wilderness as much as possible.” His hobbies include hiking, cycling, snowboarding, and anything that can take him from the “coast to the mountains.” The natural world around him continues to be his greatest inspiration and he pays tribute to it with simple geometric shapes and a minimalistic art style. He admits that “as our lives become more and more tech immersed, it’s hard to switch off and really focus sometimes.” However, he considers himself lucky because he often has so many ideas that he can’t decide “which one to pursue.” Still, he admits that he would like to “spend less time at my computer and maybe explore more traditional mediums” in the future.

Thepapercrane loves the “freedom of being able to create work without a brief or a client” and he thrives on pursuing his passion projects. In fact, one of his greatest joys has been seeing his art in the real world, either showcased on popular TV shows or even worn by a famous Colts’ quarterback. He believes that it takes innovation, commitment, and a community of supporters to succeed; he recognizes all the “creative talent out there” and encourages artists to stay motivated and fight for their dreams.