What is a silhouettist anyway?
NOT EVERYBODY KNOWS what a silhouettist is. When I describe what I do,I’m often met with a blank stare. “You mean, you cut up bits of paper for a living?”
The Eighteenth-Century Selfie
In November 2022 I was invited to give a short talk about my work at a TEDx meeting in Arendal, on the south coast of Norway. The video of my talk has just been released and have great pleasure in sharing it here (time: 15 mins approx) In the days before photography silhouettes were the
How familiar are you with the silhouette?
If you’ve seen me cut a silhouette, you’re probably more familiar with this shadowy art than most. But how much do you really know about them? My question today is more about silhouette imagery, as used in advertisements, illustrations and popular art, than about the craft I practice. It’s the concept, or idea of a
Typhoons and Silhouettes
MyJapanese mother in law was 96 years old when she passed away in the summer. She was fond of telling everybody that she was born in the same year as the Queen. I think it gave her a connection to her strange English son in law! Although my Japanese has always been quite basic –
Listening to my Ukrainian Silhouettes
Watching the news of Russian forces rolling into Ukraine a fortnight ago I was embarrassed to realise just how little I knew about the country. I had to look it up on a map! What’s the history, I wondered. Why is this happening? I found I knew almost nothing about either Ukrainian culture or history.
How can I make a silhouette myself?
I’m often asked if there’s an easy way to make a silhouette. If you have a mobile phone, yes there is! Here’s an easy project you can do at home during the holidays to make silhouettes of your family. Try it out with your children, parents, friends or siblings. I will show you how to
Should a silhouette really look like this?
When people ask, I tell them I accept any challenge. As an artistic philosophy I’d recommend it to anybody. I’ve frequently experienced unexpected but welcome benefits from testing my scissor skills this way.
Silhouette Art Prints: preserving the memory
SILHOUETTES are all about memories. Of all the things I do as a silhouettist, one of my favourites is to create a collage-style print of all the silhouettes cut at a wedding.
Are you the only artist who does this?
THIS IS A QUESTION I hear a lot. The answer is “not quite…”. Silhouette cutting does occupy a tiny niche in the world of art, but I’m not quite the only one.
Silhouette backing cards for weddings
MY SILHOUETTE CARDS can include your names and even your silhouettes on the front. This is a great way to ensure your guests will remember your wedding every time they see their silhouettes on the wall.
Sending thank you cards with your own silhouettes
SENDING A THANK YOU to all who attended your wedding is a lovely tradition. How about sending your own silhouettes, created on the day, to everybody as a memento of your special day?
Are silhouettes the perfect socially-distant art?
AS LOCKDOWN comes to an end it may soon be possible to host events again. Some clients are asking how I can maintain social distancing whilst cutting a silhouette. I’ll answer this with a short story.
Lockdown Paper Cuttings: a new open studio exhibition
WITH LOCKDOWN measures about to ease I’m pleased to announce Lockdown Paper Cuttings, my upcoming open studio exhibition.
April Fielding, the Crystal Palace Silhouettistte
THE ENGLISH SILHOUETTISTTE April Fielding (her description, not mine) has been hard to bring out of the shadows. Until this month, I didn’t even know her name! I only recognised a series of well-cut postcard silhouettes, made in the 1900s, embellished with graphite and initialled “AF”.
A Silhouettist’s Idea of an April Fool?
AN APRIL FOOL INVITATION for event organisers to experience a ten-minute sitting in my virtual silhouette studio.
Otho Barden: the Rock City Artist
OTHO BARDEN was an American artist who cut silhouettes during the summer season at the popular tourist attraction of Rock City at the top of Lookout Mountain, Georgia. He seems to have worked there for many years, probably from the opening of Rock City in 1932 until the mid 1950s.
Audax: the long-distance silhouettist?
WHEN GOOGLING “Audax” all you’ll find is information about long-distance cycle racing. However, Audax was also a silhouettist with a career spanning over 40 years. This is why I refer to him as the long-distance silhouettist!