Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elizabeth Goss. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elizabeth, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I mostly learned papercutting through experimentation. I’d seek out paper works I admired, analyze what I liked about them, and then try to create similar effects in my own art. It wasn’t a bad way to learn, but it was slow. What truly accelerated my growth as an artist was discovering the Guild of American Papercutters. Connecting with such a vibrant, creative community has been invaluable.

The Guild hosts in-person meetups, shows, and countless opportunities for members to connect and to learn from one another. The generosity of my fellow papercutters, their willingness to share their knowledge and techniques, made a huge difference to both my creative process and how quickly I learned.

I believe that being involved in a creative community is one of the most valuable aspects of a creative career. It’s not just about what you can learn, but also about what you can give. I make it a priority to be open about my process and share tips on techniques and tools. By doing so, I hope to help others grow creatively, just as I’ve been helped along the way.

Elizabeth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an illustrator, author, and papercutter who is passionate about storytelling. My first picturebook My Way West: Real Kids Traveling the Oregon and California Trails (West Margin Press, 2021) won the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People. My picture books, All About Nothing (Charlesbridge, 2023), All About Color (Charlesbridge, 2024), and All About Patterns (Charlesbridge, 2025) are collaborations with decorated children’s author Elizabeth Rusch. These books pair art concepts with concepts of emotional intelligence, encouraging children to see and engage with their world in new ways.

While creating books for young people is my primary passion, I also exhibit original art in galleries and sell laser-cut reproductions of my work online and in stores. My personal work is often inspired by the plants and animals I observe on walks through my neighborhood. Papercuts remind me of my local ecosystems. They are fragile and depend on thousands of tiny connections to hold together. But when treated with care, they can be preserved and enjoyed for generations. By exploring natural themes in the delicate medium of paper, I hope to highlight the stunning beauty and fragility of the natural world.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love seeing people connect with a piece of art I’ve created. Whether they’re picking up one of my books at the library or leaning in to see the details of an original papercut, there’s something truly special about watching someone engage with my work. I think I communicate much better on the page than I do in person. My work enables me to have a full conversation with someone using just a few written words or none at all.

The other thing I love is the flexibility that comes with being a freelancer. As long as my work gets done on time, no one cares when I do it. As both an artist and a mom, that freedom is invaluable. I keep some pretty wild hours, but I get more quality time in the studio and, more importantly, with my kid, than I ever would with a “regular” schedule.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

My social media presence isn’t huge, but it is extremely rewarding, so I’m happy to talk about it. No matter what platform you’re using or what creative career you’re building, I believe the most important thing you can be online is genuine.

I recently became a brand ambassador for Excel Blades, the company who makes my papercutting knife and blades. It has been a fantastic opportunity, but what has surprised me about it is how little I have had to change. I’ve always shared the tools I use and tagged the folks who make them. I want other artists to be able to find quality supplies. My knife and blades have always featured in my progress posts. They’re what I work with every day. If you’re being yourself on social media, you’ll attract partnerships that feel like a natural extension of what you’re already doing and followers you enjoy interacting with.

On that note, when it comes to engaging with people, I keep it simple. If someone says something kind about my work, I thank them. If they’re an artist too, I check out their work and try to return their kind words. If someone leaves a negative comment, I delete it and move on. I’m not sure if this is the best way to grow a huge following, but I know it’s a great way to grow a kind one. I’d much rather have a smaller community that feels uplifting than a large one that doesn’t.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lizabethgoss.com
• Instagram: @lizabethgoss