In the newsletter: Your first look at our new web series...about paper cutting

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I've definitely mentioned this before, but of all the stuff that gets featured in this newsletter, nothing's more popular than paper art. Fold it, cut it, piñata-fy it: if paper's involved, it's an instant smash, which bodes well for our latest web series.

Paper Cuts premieres this week, and it's starring a bunch of folks you should really be following on Instagram, including Christine Kim and Kelly Pousette and Lacy Barry and Pauline Loctin (whom we've written about before).

"I'm always fascinated by the way paper artists wield X-Acto knives and glue," says series producer Lise Hosein. "This is stuff I could never do. They make astounding things out of paper, while I take five years to figure out how to use a printer." Check back to the site in a few days to watch the first video, and let me know what you think. (Printing advice is also welcome. I'll make sure Lise gets it.)

And because we promised you eye candy

Great Clippy's ghost! It's been almost two years since Shaheer Zazai told us how he makes Afghan rugs using Microsoft Word (!!!), and I'm still gobsmacked. He has some new works on display at the Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant in Brantford, Ont., right now. See it to March 15.

Came across Katy Biele's work on Instagram this week. She's a Chilean artist living in Victoria who mixes embroidery and painting. Such a juicy colour palette.

Does your city have an outdoor light fest? Seems like everyone has one this time of year, which might be the one and only good thing about these super-short days. Toronto Light Festival launched in the Distillery District this past weekend. Here's a shot of Shrooms by Amigo & Amigo. (See it to March 1.)

There's more where this came from. Follow Erik Winkowski on Instagram. He's pledged to post "a new video (almost) every day."

You've got to see this

6 things you need to know about Stan Douglas - The Vancouver artist will rep Canada at next year's Venice Biennale. Here's why that's cause for excitement.

Say it with flowers — the weirder the better - For these artists and floral designers, pretty isn't the point. See why plants can be a powerful medium.

Need a new (old) book? - They're four of Amanda Parris's favourite books by Black female authors, and they're all turning 20 this year. Haven't read them yet? Crawl out of your Y2K bunker and get on it.

Follow this artist

Amy Ash (@amy_ash_) - For years, Amy's been making art using vintage found photos, a habit she told us all about. "I've become this bizarre keeper of other people's forgotten family histories," she says. "I think it's a special position to be in to use these things as a catalyst for new ideas or for helping, in a way, other people think about their own sense of belonging or build their own narratives from them."

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Until next time! 

XOXO, CBC Arts