Silhouette portraits are symbolic of family, celebration and an era of elegance, and simpler times

At first you may find this not much different than most blogs. But if you read on, you will join me on my journey which includes my family, places I visit, and people I meet. I am very grateful to share my art and consider it an honor to give something to people who have never seen how a silhouette is created or even had their silhouette done before. I love hearing the stories of those who may have posed for a silhouette years ago, at their elementary school, fair, or an amusement park. Some have shared, they still have their silhouette framed and hanging on their wall at home or their mom's wall. Others say it's in a scrapbook or put away in a box. What amazes me, is these stories always come from a good place and people cherish them and hold on to them for many years.
Silhouette art is unique and fun.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Labor Day Weekend Two Events Prepare for Traffic!!!

I am looking forward to this weekend. Labor Day Weekend! On Saturday, September 3rd,  I am going to be at a  beautiful historic venue for Aurora's wedding. Cutting silhouettes at the Villa del Sol d'Oro Alverno Villa in Sierra Madre . I am told at this point I will be stationed at the  library. Sounds pretty cool. I can't wait to be a part of this lovely event. I will be there for three hours.

Following the lovely event on Saturday, I will be Alicia's wedding to perform silhouettes on Sunday, September 4th at yet another historic venue. The Darlington House in La Jolla. This too is a beautiful estate turned into an event holding venue near the ocean. I can't wait to be yet at another historic venue cutting silhouettes. I have a love of history and enjoy being at historic venues. It adds to the classic style and appreciation of the era of silhouette art. But no matter where I do silhouettes and who I do them for. The individual who have me at their events have an appreciation for the art. It makes it fun no matter what.

Monday, August 29, 2011

La Valencia Hotel- Stirdivant/Wason

August 6th, I was anticipating this wedding for almost a year. About 9 months. Many emails back and forth with Kimberly. She sent me profile photos of her and her fiance, to cut out and send to her in advance. I also did her wedding party and family members in advance too. I sent them all in the  mail. And much to my surprise and very honored Kimberly used my silhouettes for her wedding invitation. They were beautiful. Unfortunately on my way to the wedding a major traffic jam and I was extremely late. Not perfect and on occasion it does happen. However, I never once was this late. As a result, I didn't appear very professional.

What I wanted to share with you are the photos from the photographer at Ventana Photography who recently sent the link to me. The photos are lovely and reflect what a great wedding Kimberly and Roger had. However, I would like to add an note about the day coordinator from Kelly Instone Weddings  whom did not make my bride aware of my status. As a result my bride was not happy with the unknown during her wedding day.  A lesson learned and a new method on my part on how to handle matters so I am positive my brides of the future are aware of any issues.



Enjoy the photos....Kimberly and Roger La Valencia Hotel La Jolla

Anne and Cory Wedding

August 20th we were at the Los Angeles Athletic Club for Anne and Cory's wedding. Anne was a delight to work with and her mother as well. Warm and very sweet people. The venue was not only beautiful but included a history of LA that no other could. We arrived early to set up and met Nam of  Modern LA Weddings who was absolutely wonderful to work with and very organized. We set up a wall of silhouettes of the bridal party. Anne provided a beautiful memory book she found on Etsy for the silhouettes to be mounted in for her keepsake. Mebo Photobooth is a fun idea for any event and I love their work. I worked with them at a wedding at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion and we had so much fun. The band Los Sindicate was providing entertainment. Jasmine Star Photography and JD provided the photos of this elegant event. Jasmine Star is an acclaimed international photographer.  Florals and designs were created by Shawna Yamamoto. This was just a wonderful event. I really enjoyed working with Anne and her mom.

Friday, August 26, 2011

We can all hang out and have a cup of tea...

Well, it's the end of the month and I have been busy. I have a few photos I need to insert so I will include a couple but..... before I do. Wanted to say. I went to the OC Fair and visited the Silhouette Artist there this summer, I worked with Nancy Marie at the Queen Mary and I rather enjoy her. I worked with her before, but I didn't get a chance to hang out with her much at that time. We had a chance to really chat and get to know each other a bit. She is delightful.

Then I visited the Silhouette Studio at Disneyland a couple of times to meet with their silhouette artists. But not much a warm welcome. We chatted, but not very much. I wish that we could all be one unified artist meet up group and share stories and tips.  Since there are a few of us around this area with Disneyland and so many entertainment venues .

I have been in this business a long time and there are a handful of  silhouette artists out there are in this big world. Compared to the giant list of artists in the world of oil, water color, paint, photography, etc. I just can't seem to really build a bond with the other artists.   I don't know what it is. Is it just me?I have called on a  few artist for some favors and help now and again. We are few and see the world through a different point of view. I guess that is what makes us unique.  I still enjoy looking at their work and love having them out their loving the same thing I do. Be nice to go out and have tea one day?

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Finally recovered!?



Silhouettes, is pretty much all I look at these days. I can't help it. I went to Temecula the other day. I looked for old  antique silhouttes. I couldn't find any and I don't know why. About a year ago I saw several, but really not interested in buying any. The ones I saw were the ones painted on the glass frames. I wanted an original cut silhouette and they were very expensive. I forged on looking for silhouettes. None. I saw none. I will have to go back and look for again on another day, at another place maybe. So I have been cuttin some silhouettes of the days of the Roaring 20's and I left some on my bed. I was very detailed about some of them. And my dogs felt it necessary to use the silhouettes  as their pillows and thrashed them about. It's back to square one. I have a few examples of  the ones that were not thrashed. They are not mounted just placed gently on a book for  now.

Monday, August 8, 2011

One Heck of an Adventure!

The day starteid out kinda chaotic. Traffic seemed a bit heavier than normal Saturdays as I headed out  to my first event in Beverly Hills at Fago de Chao, I arrived late. I realized my scissors were not in my pouch with me. I was horrified! Thank God there was a mall next door and I purchased a small cuticle set. However, not what I am used to, it worked. I was so embarrassed. I went home to look for my scissors and they had fallen out of the bag and were in the trunk the entire time. Why didn't I think to look for them in there????

Traffic was stop and go all the way to my next event in San Diego La Valencia Hotel La Valencia Hotel. Not slow and go like usual. STOP and GO. I was late. And parked my car at the first parking structure I could find. Not at the hotel as suggested. I ran to the hotel to get started and stayed an extra hour to make up the difference for being late. I left and went to the parking structure and when I got to the structure the gate was closed shut. The car was unattainable. I was in La Jolla and no way to get around and no where to sleep. All of the hotels were sold out and needless to say, in La Jolla nothing under $300.00 per night. Now if I was going for a weekender to have fun, fun, fun. Maybe it would be worth it. But for a quick nap to get home. Nah uh.

Denny's here I come and I ended up in Pacific Beach, thanks to Costas my taxi driver. We walked and walked and walked in my formal dress and shoes and my bag on wheels in tow with my supplies. We walked down a street of drunks, street entertainers, bars, and need I say more. Alas! a tattoo parlour we can peek our couriousity and kill a few more hours hopefully. I saw a couch, I could rest my toes.

We meet the tattoo artist at Black Rose Tattoo. We talked, asked questions and eventually he asks what are we doing in Pacific Beach. Long story short....I cut out his silhouette, he gave one of us a free tattoo. Artist to artist appreciation thing. And before we know it it is four in the morning  and time to leave. We walk over to Denny's have a couple of cups of coffe and Costas comes back to pick us up at five am. Yesss!

We drive back to La Jolla and the gate to the parking structure is up. The car is free to go and we can drive home. An all nighter in . We save a few hundred bucks and finally get to sleep at 7:30 am. What a day! What a day! Who would have thought a silhouette job would have brought me to pull an all nighter? I am getting to old for this. But it was an adventure. I had a good time.

Not looking to do this again anytime soon. ha ha!

La Jolla Inn- $300.00 for one night. Only one vacancy in town.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

August

It's hot! Just like it is supposed to be in August. I spent my last day of July at the OC Fair and enjoyed every minute of it. I walked through the Carnival of Products and wished I could buy a lot of the products just to try them.  I love the OC fair. I love the the atmosphere of the fair and to see everyone who goes to enjoy the atmosphere of the food, rides, animals, games and the new products. Not to forget the highlight to see the performance of the shows and work of the artisans. Andof course my favorite the silhouette artist. I love to see the silhouette artist maintain the tradition of the art at the fair. I applaud the life of the art and the ability to keep it alive.  To make it available to many who still find it fascinating and enjoy the art. Living as close as we do to Disneyland there are so many folks who find it a joy to get their silhouette at the fair.