This Chinese art form was being taught to her cousin by the Grandmother, and Maryyann took up the challenge. It is a part of her Chinese heritage that she was able to bring with her across the ocean, to a new life in a new country. Hudgens Center Assistant Curator Bob Abernathy has been in charge of Maryyann's exhibition and is admires her work. She never draws the piece first. She just starts cutting.
Some pieces are very realistic and others are totally whimsical.
One of Mr. Abernathy's favorites is a fish which evolves into a swan from right to left. The tail of the fish becomes the swan's head. There are also a few dinosaurs and some remarkable lobsters. The small pieces usually don't take more than two minutes to cut out. The paper she uses can vary also.