Cartizan

Milli Flaig-Hooper, Paper Artizan

This interview was given by Rose Flaig, mother of Milli. Milli has down syndrome and doesn’t communicate verbally very much, though she says a lot with her art.

Tell us a little bit about who Milli is.

Milli is so much more than her disability. Being born with down syndrome and having been diagnosed with autism she has overcome many hurdles that other people may never have to face. She was born and raised in Matlock, Manitoba where she lives with her parents and is a graduate of Gimli High School. Throughout her schooling Milli has been a trailblazer thanks to the persistence of her parents and cooperation of her schools. She was the first person with down syndrome to graduate having spent her high school years in all regular classes. She talks very little, so it is hard for people to get to know her, but those who do know that there is more to her than meets the eye. As a strong, silent type, she often greets those around her with a sidelong glance and expresses displeasure with a firm elbow.

How did she discover her love of art and paper making?

As a child she loved to draw people, animals, plants, with energy radiating from them – faces and trees with squiggly lines. Throughout high school she took art classes and after she graduated we were looking for something to help occupy her time. In cleaning out a closet we found a children’s papermaking kit that had been given as a gift. By the end of the day Milli was hooked. It is now two and a half years later and that little kit has grown into a small home business.

Tell us about her artistic process.

The paper is preused office paper that is donated from 6 local businesses as well as her former elementary school. She sorts and shreds it by colour and blends it with water. The paper slurry is then squeeze dried and spread on screens to finish air drying. Decorative touches might be added in the form of confettis, flower petals, or a paper flurry of a different colour. She also may dry some of the paper on a textured surface such as crocheted doilies to add a pattern to the finished product. The paper is then turned into cards or framed art pieces. Any cutoffs are used as confetti in future flurries or added to a piece of 3D art.

What are her goals as an artist?

Though Milli focused this year on mostly local craft sales she is hoping to expand to galleries and art shows and we are hoping to have a booth at the 15th Annual World Conference for Inclusion International in Berlin, Germany in June of 2010. We are also in the final stages of building her a house on our property with a large workshop & drying room so that she can expand her artwork.

What does Milli do and love, besides her art?

There is never dirty laundry in our house, thanks to Milli. She loves doing the laundry and dishes so much that we told her when she moves out, she can come home every once in a while to help us with ours! She volunteers at a local store once a week and is an avid bowler. And she loves music. She has many Beatles songs memorized and loves Johnny Cash, Spice Girls and Gwen Stephani. Milli is a strong person who, when given a chance to learn, can take off and fly. Just take a look at her art.