Inspiration can be everywhere. From everyday life to other artists’ works, to your travels. My travels out west is where I got the inspiration for this little lizard.

After visiting some of the western states, including California, Nevada, Arizona, and Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, and seeing a completely different type of scenary. Much of the landscape I had seen on that trip out west was so different from anything I had ever seen before. I was compelled to create a new paper sculpture depicting something from my travels.

Of all the things I could have made into a paper sculpture, for whatever reason, this little lizard climbing on the rocks was the design that came about after my trip.

The real version of the lizard was not very easy to spot. He was almost the same color as the rocks, although he had many more striations on his outer layer than the rocks had. He also didn’t seem to be too bothered by visitors. Perhaps he felt if he didn’t move, no one would even notice he was there and people would just assume it was another rock jutting out from the cliff.

I do think it is somewhat humorous and also quite interesting that a little lizard is what I wanted to create after a trip like that. It is such a small paper sculpture, measuring less than 5” x 7”. I saw other critters — deer and a chipmunk come to mind. This little paper sculpture is also in sharp contrast to the humongous cliffs and mountains I had seen and perhaps that is the point.

Perhaps it is just unfathomable to even think of recreating something on a much larger scale after seeing something so breathtaking and beautiful as the parks. Perhaps it is the idea of seeing and noticing the tiny things around you even when you are walking among the huge mountains and rocks — the little things are just as important as the big things.

Perhaps it is the reminder that we all have a part to play — no matter how big or how small — in the bigger picture. Or, perhaps it is what it is: a little lizard on a little Rock. What do you think? The great thing about almost all art is you get to decide for yourself.