New Life Unfolds for Teacher Turned Artist

Because it has given her a sense of tranquility, Barbara Pearl has cleverly renamed each of her creations in origami, the Oriental art of paper folding, “a Peace of Paper.”

Her interest came after a somewhat disillusioning career in teaching mathematics to junior high school students in four states, when she sought another avenue to happiness.

“I didn’t want to give up hope with teaching,” the Temple University graduate said. “I just changed the format.”

Pearl felt classrooms were overcrowded, children didn’t want to learn and neither parents nor the administration gave teachers much support.

“There are people in the (school) systems working toward revamping different areas, but the stress on me was too difficult, and I didn’t feel like making more sacrifices,” she said.

The Newport Beach woman found that origami used many of the same geometric principles she used in teaching mathematics to her students.

“Paper folding brings lines, angles, ratios and proportions into play, giving it a sense of mathematics,” she said, noting she still was teaching mathematics, only in a different form.

But what it did for Pearl, who studied under origami masters in New York, was to provide her with a new career in a cottage business in which she demonstrates origami at birthday and anniversary parties and teaches the art.

“One of these days I plan to make a video on origami for a cable television show,” said Pearl, who has been folding paper into various figures and designs for a decade. “It’s a visual art and needs to be demonstrated.

Pearl has been exhibiting her work each month at libraries in Orange County and is booked six months in advance.

“People have asked to buy some of my work, but I don’t sell any of my work,” she said. “They are too precious to me to sell. I prefer others to make their own.”

Included in her exhibits are figures of horses, snakes, birds and elephants.

Pearl said American interest in origami has grown in the past decade, after the founding of the national association of the Friends of the Origami Center of America in 1980.

The New York-based center boasts a membership of 1,500.

“Learning an art form from another culture is beneficial,” said Pearl, who often gives talks and demonstrations to senior citizens and schoolchildren.

During those sessions, Pearl points out that paper folding is exciting but at the same time “is also very meditative. It gives you a sense of serenity. You enjoy the journey as well as the destination.”

Although origami has its roots in Asia, Pearl changes the name when she gives instruction to adults and children at her local Jewish Temple.

Then she calls it Jewish Paper Folding.