Gay Merril Gross (1953 – 2025) gave me a very warm welcome at my first origami convention in 1994. Her kindness and enthusiasm made me feel immediately at home in the origami community, and I will always treasure that memory.
Gay was generous in teaching and sharing her charming, whimsical models. Her creativity was boundless, and her designs captured technical skill and her playful and lyrical spirit. I have several of her books in my collection, each a testament to her artistic vision and her gift for making origami accessible to folders of all levels.
Over the years, I’ve been pleased to present video tutorials for some of Gay’s delightful models here on Origami Spirit. Sharing her models has brought us all much joy, and I hope her work inspires you as much as it has inspired me.
“Cute Origami Cat” (It cleverly doubles as a box) showcased her talent for creating functional yet charming designs.
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“Spiral Spring,” an ingenious and playful slinky-type model that captured her ability to create dynamic, action origami. models.
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“Quick Origami Rose” an elegant and easy model accompanied by a variation and matching leaf demonstrated her gift for flower models with a touch of whimsy.
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I can still picture Gay deep in thought, studying folds or crease patterns with intense concentration, her mind working through the folding possibilities. She inspired me to make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts, then combine elements from different models to create something new. This approach to creative synthesis shaped my own origami journey and opened up many new avenues of artistic exploration.
Gay was not only a talented origami designer but also a remarkable teacher. She had that special ability to break down the folding process into manageable steps, always encouraging her students with patience.
The origami world has lost a bright light, but Gay’s legacy lives on through her books, her models, and in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to learn from her. Her paper creations will continue to bring wonder and delight to people around the world.
The origami community can always be grateful for Gay’s inspiring creativity and for the way she enriched the art form we love so dearly.
BOOKS BY GAY MERRILL GROSS *
Minigami: Mini Origami Projects for Cards, Gifts and Decorations
Origami: The Art of Paper Folding
Paper Creations: Easy-To-Make Paperfolding Projects
Tear-i-gami: Ornagami
Zoogami-Set
The Art of Napkin Folding (Hardcover)
*Amazon Affiliate
I, too, have loved her books. She has in them some of my favorite origami models. The twist fish in Minigami is an all time favorite and in Origami, new ideas for paperfolding, the teardrop ornament has made wonderful earrings. She is definitely an important origami teacher in my life. I am sorry I never met her.
Hi Kate! Thank you for sharing your favorite origami models by Gay. Her books are full of jewels. Even when she featured models by other creators, her choices were always elegant and fun to make.
Gay was a wonderful person She never tired of sharing and teaching Origami. She was ever so meticulous while teaching that one could never go wrong while folding the model. I have few of her books and one even signed by her.
It was my good fortune that I would meet her when I visited NY. I will always cherish her memory. It is sad that we lost two Origami creators in a span of 12 months. Meenakshi and Gay May their souls rest in peace. They will forever live in our hearts.
Thank you Gita, for sharing your memories about Gay!
I work at FIT & this was such a beautiful blog to commemorate Gay and her art ❤️ thank you for writing this and showing us some beloved origami.
Thank you Kasey!
I received your email Leyla, and I did a little tribute to Gay.
And Also folded her cuté Bix Cat which you teach.
https://www.instagram.com/nicecrane3/reel/DI6gwjFNvoH/
Take a look
Very nice, thank you Ignacio!
Gay was a very calm and at the same time intense personality: generous, attentive, and with a special kindness and warmth. Origami was for her a key to bring people together, and she always kept in mind the creative and human aspects of this art. She combined serenity, wisdom and playfulness in a unique mix. I will remember the bright light in her eyes, and her powerful and gentle soul. I will miss her!
Thank you Coral, for your lovely words of remembrance.
Gay’s book “Orogami Easy to make Paper Creations” was one of my first orogami books. I still treasure it. Her passion for sharing and having clear instructions was so important in my early origami days. She will be missed and revered deeply.
Thank you Cathy, for your words and mentioning your favorite book by Gay.
I so enjoy Gay Merrill Gross’s books. They are a joy because the instructions are understandable and correct. Thank you Ms Gross…May you be at peace.
Lovely words, Katharine, thank you!
Thank you Leyla. One of the first books I bought on my origami journey is Gay’s book, Minigami, and I still refer to it, it’s a favorite. I’m grateful for her legacy and generosity to folders everywhere.
Yes, Lisa, Minigami is a book I love too. Gay’s books were always full of elegant and easy-to-fold origami models. Thank you for writing!
Gay was such a warm, generous soul and a wonderful teacher. She taught at many of the OUSA Sunday folding sessions at the Museum of Natural History. She was patient, kind and able to teach so clearly for all of us to follow. I will miss her and offer my condolences to the origami community, both in New York and around the world. May her memory be a blessing.
Thank you I.G. for leaving your memories about Gay. She was a wonderful teacher indeed!