Creator
Janessa Munt
Oregon,
United States
About Janessa
Janessa Munt, a talented origami designer, author, and beloved friend, passed from this life in Portland, Oregon, USA on February 3, 2023, at the age of 27. Much to everyone’s sadness, this young origami prodigy left us prematurely, suddenly, and unexpectedly.
Janessa fell in love with the craft when she first learned to fold a box at the age of 7. In her teenage years, she started designing her own models and a blog called Daily Dollar Doodles, which eventually caught the eye of a publisher. By the time she was 20, Janessa was a published author of her own book entitled “The Dollar Bill Origami Book” (Skyhorse Publishing), as well as a Pokemon Origami book (Pikachu Press). In later years, she did designs for another Pokemon Origami book (Pikachu Press) and a Harry Potter Origami book (Scholastic). Her dollar bill origami works have been featured on PBS Specials, OPB’s Oregon Art Beat, and a Washington Conservation Action campaign ad, as well as group exhibits at the Oregon Historical Society and Portland Japanese Garden.
In Spring 2014 in Issue #115 of OrigamiUSA’s The Paper magazine, Janessa wrote a story about how she found solace in origami when she struggled with social anxiety and depression. Her relatable story touched many origami folders with similar issues.
Janessa was most known around the world for her delightful dollar bill designs. However, among those who have had the pleasure of knowing her, she was best described as the friendliest, kindest soul with a generous heart. She always made an effort to bring out the best in each and every friend in the origami community, connecting people, and ensuring that everyone was having a good time at origami conventions. Janessa loved the origami community as much as she loved origami itself.
Her generous, sharing spirit brought joy and smiles to everyone around her, even outside of the origami community. She did that in many ways, including teaching origami at prisons and tipping with her dollar bill origami at restaurants.
Janessa’s memories and legacy will continue to live on in the many friends that she touched in her life.
Written by Yuki Martin.
Models` images by Olya Gugnyak.
Janessa fell in love with the craft when she first learned to fold a box at the age of 7. In her teenage years, she started designing her own models and a blog called Daily Dollar Doodles, which eventually caught the eye of a publisher. By the time she was 20, Janessa was a published author of her own book entitled “The Dollar Bill Origami Book” (Skyhorse Publishing), as well as a Pokemon Origami book (Pikachu Press). In later years, she did designs for another Pokemon Origami book (Pikachu Press) and a Harry Potter Origami book (Scholastic). Her dollar bill origami works have been featured on PBS Specials, OPB’s Oregon Art Beat, and a Washington Conservation Action campaign ad, as well as group exhibits at the Oregon Historical Society and Portland Japanese Garden.
In Spring 2014 in Issue #115 of OrigamiUSA’s The Paper magazine, Janessa wrote a story about how she found solace in origami when she struggled with social anxiety and depression. Her relatable story touched many origami folders with similar issues.
Janessa was most known around the world for her delightful dollar bill designs. However, among those who have had the pleasure of knowing her, she was best described as the friendliest, kindest soul with a generous heart. She always made an effort to bring out the best in each and every friend in the origami community, connecting people, and ensuring that everyone was having a good time at origami conventions. Janessa loved the origami community as much as she loved origami itself.
Her generous, sharing spirit brought joy and smiles to everyone around her, even outside of the origami community. She did that in many ways, including teaching origami at prisons and tipping with her dollar bill origami at restaurants.
Janessa’s memories and legacy will continue to live on in the many friends that she touched in her life.
Written by Yuki Martin.
Models` images by Olya Gugnyak.
Featured Work
Books
