Johanna Oliver - Black Tree Designs

Follow her on instagram - @black_tree_designs

 Johanna Oliver is the sculptural paper artist behind @black_tree_designs based in Cape Town, South Africa.

"I've never formally studied art but I have always been a creative at heart. Creating is as natural to me as breathing and paper botanicals awakened a passion in me I have never known before."

 It was whilst looking at decor ideas for her husbands' jewellery store in 2018 that Johanna discovered paper flowers and after creating her first bloom, was truly hooked.

Despite her first flowers being created from tissue paper and cardstock, it wasn't until Johanna discovered Carte Fini Crepe Paper that her creative journey into the world of paper flowers truly began. Experimentation is a vital component of any creative process. It's what allows us to establish what is possible and more often than not, results in something truly magical. 

Through this fearless experimenting with paper, texture and colour, Johanna has truly discovered an aesthetic all her own, making her work instantly recognizable on social media.

Johanna's distinctive style embodies blurring the lines between realism and fantasy by sculpting botanicals that look ultra realistic or using unexpected colour choices.

"I regard my botanicals as art. They have a presence and convey a story. I'm all about the drama and magic.  Hopefully, my botanicals deliver both to my audience."