How long does it take to make a piece?

The paper sculptures take anywhere from 3 weeks to three months to design and build. The time frame for each piece depends on the scope of the project. The larger and more intricate pieces take longer to make.

What do you use to make the work?

• Paper - I predominantly use Legion Paper’s Stonehenge. I love it’s vellum finish and 250gsm thickness. It is a 100% cotton, acid free, chlorine free, with a neutral pH. It was originally developed for printmaking.

• Glue - Neutral pH PVA glue. It is an acid free adhesive that is flexible, permanent, and water soluble.

• Blades - I use blades! Not scissors. I have several blade holders and use anywhere from four to forty #11 steel blades per a project.

• Backboards - To hold the works in place and provide a surface for the backgrounds I use either gator board or masonite board. Each surface is treated with acrylic primer before adhesion to protect the sculptural materials and ensure they are archival.

How long have you been working in paper sculpture?

I have been working with paper since 2007ish. I trained as an oil painter in college. After college, without a studio, I painted in the same room I was sleeping in and started to get sick from the oil paints. I turned to drawings and watercolors. A lot of my drawings involve graphic line work, following the contours, planes, and shadows of objects I depict in my work. My first layered paper pieces were a direct translation of some of those drawings.

Where can I see your work in person?

These last few years I have focused on commissioned works. I do have works with a few galleries in North America - Montreal, Quebec, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The Bay Area in California, and Portland, Oregon. You can arrange to see what they have in their inventories by contacting them through their websites. I’ve made a handy page with their information here: galleries

Is it possible to learn more about your process?

Yes! A while ago I started a YouTube channel. It has been over a year since I updated it, but you are welcome to see some of the silly videos I produced back in 2023 documenting a few pieces being made here: Something Tangible with Joey Bates You can also view the documentation of a fairly large commission here: Sunflowers

Do you make custom pieces for people?

I do! I make custom commissioned pieces for people all over the world. You are most welcome to learn about my commission process on this page here: commission. You can see the process of a commissioned piece being built here: commission case study.

How much does your artwork cost?

The works currently available span a wide range of price points.

• The flower shop has prints available from 40 USD to 120 USD

• Monthly miniatures are 400 USD + shipping

• Commissions start at 1000 USD

• Many of the pieces seen in the gallery page start at 5000 USD

How are the paper sculptures displayed?

In my many years of showing these paper sculptures, I have most often framed the work in simple white, shadowbox frames with plexiglass glazing. Some recent projects have been framed in fully plexiglass box frames, displaying all sides of the work. It really is up to the client how they would like to display the work. I recommend framing every piece for its longevity and, as with all artworks, not placing it in direct sunlight. Unframed, maintenance may be challenging as they can collect a lot of dust and be difficult to clean.

How do you ship the artwork?

When shipping a piece, I wrap it in bubble wrap then build a box around the wrapped piece with spacers to hold it in place. I then build a second box into which the first box is braced with spacers to keep it piece nice, snug, and protected for its travels. Lots of “fragile” stickers are used on the exterior of each box. I primarily use DHL to ship larger works. Depending on location and shipping method, it can take one to four weeks for a piece to get to its destination. Work is shipped from my tiny house in the Swedish countryside. I most often sell to clients in North America. Customs fees may apply.