My Passion for Silhouette History

Something has to be said about rates for a silhouette artist today... I love the history of the art and rather keep it the way it was intended. As it was never intended for aristocrats, to trace lineage.They used oil paintings from famous painters of their era. Silhouettes were gawdy for the rich, back in that day.

Silhouettes were for the average working folk. Many times, traded for a meal, a nights rest as a silhouette artist would travel from township to township. Oil paintings didn't belong in huts and small cottages anyway.  There were no cameras at the time to  capture images. Silhouette art was very practical centuries ago.
As silhouette art moved to the U.S.  after many folks immigrated from Europe. Silhouettes art also followed and artists traveled to local and world fairs, for a minimun fee for each silhouette. And as time has progressed, compared to the world of art, silhouettes remain "A Lost Art".  However, not so lost. In order to share with the others in this day in age a fee within reach, (compared to todays standards) it is not impossible. In my opionion it is not worth putting a hole in the pocket book to experience a lost art.

I love that I can share my art at will. I love that I can offer a very fair price keeping loyal to my passion of silhouette art and the history of silhouettes. And I do! It would not be practical for me to trade for a meal. However, a tattoo, or maybe something of value. It has been done. I value my talent and more importantly, it is to be shared.

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

Carmaggedon shmarmagedon 7.16.11 Event

One of the biggest parts of doing Silhouettes at events is driving to get to an event.  ON TIME. Even though it goes without saying. If not for our GPS's or a well thought out mapping system, we must prepare for traffic and other unforeseeable circumstances when getting to events on time.

Alas! the announcement of Carmaggedon! I was going to be in a mess of traffic on the weekend of July 15. I had an event  to do on July 16th in the Bel Air area and because of the media, I planned on leaving very early to make sure I would not be late.

Traffic was light and the 405 Carmageddon did not occur as planned. Yes, I did plan an alternative route avoiding the 405 fwy. However, the traffic was moving right along on all freeways. I did not have any problems and arrived at my destination two hours early. I had planned on three hours of slow and go traffic on the roads. Thank goodness for planning ahead. Instead I would have like to have stayed home those extra hours.

Without the hoopla of the big Carmaggedon delays, I would have been stuck in regular Saturday traffic in L.A. anyway. So even though I imagined extra hours lounging around at home. The delays of traffic at no matter what amount, sitting in my car for any extra time than necessary is not a trade off. Instead, I had lunch in Brentwood and thank you Carmaggedon for my very early arrival at a very successful event. Many were told to stay away from the 405 and they did. It's just that I  was one who was in it and it wasn't as bad as it was made out to be. I have my very own Carmageddon story to share with the rest of the world.

Now for Carmageddon II in eleven months... do I dare?????

Mad Hatter Bridal Shower in San Diego

It's a short week. Well it feels like one. Saturday is only a few days away. And with the 4th of July on Monday it feels like it was as Sunday and now Saturday is already coming up fast. I have a bridal shower to cut silhouettes at in San Diego. And the theme is Disneyesque Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland. I have a feeling it's going to be tall hats that I will be cutting. Or sorts of hats. Maybe other sorts of things. like that. Umm  now my imagination is starting to warm up. I better start to get ready. Well, here's a hat of sorts. I am getting pumped up. I may have to change my white lace table cloth to red. Umm... I 'm starting to getting to like this. Antique stores, downtown Fullerton, here I come.

Changed my Header

For some reason or another my other header picture didn't work anymore. So I changed it to this newer one. It is a silhouette I did of a couple who are going to be married this summer in La Jolla, CA. They put their silhouettes I cut out on their wedding invitations. I am pleased and honored at the same time. My work is on their wedding invitation. And for as long as I have been doing silhouettes for people this is still an honor and privilege. I don't take this lightly as this is a lasting memory. At the same time I am thankful, to my bride and groom. Thank you for appreciating my work. Your wedding invitation is amazing.

Slow start to a the new year 2011

Got the flu right off the bat to start off the New Year 2011. Got better, got sick again, so things slowed down for me physically and productively. Me slowed down, couldn't go any faster than slow or not at all. Had good plans to get off to a jump.

So now it's March and I am finally feeling better with some aches and pains. But I think I am going to get it going now??? My computer got sick and crashed too. Ughh! But to look at the bright side of things. I had to get a new one. How did I pull that one off? And did I? And during all of this, I also got an award from Gigmasters my booking site. Rising Star Award 2010 for my category Silhouette Artists. Never expected it. So here's to awards and a little boost for the not so good start. Worth all my efforts in trying to stay healthy and keep up with my life.

Weddings, Baby Showers, Bat Mitzvahs, Birthdays...

To each their own individual event. To each their own touch. All sentimental and all memorable to those who book me for their event. And as for me, early on in the whole scheme of things. I am contacted as the process begins and the details are discussed. And alas, as the days draw near to the very special occasion. (And sometimes it is a very last minute call). And things are buttoned down as they say. On the day of the event, I arrive at the time arranged, dressed up, supplies in tow and ready to cut. My specific working location is usually unknown to me until I get there. But it always works out great and very do-able. Now and again, I could hope for better spot or brighter area. I put on my bright smile and scissors in hand the silhouettes are cut and pasted on the white cards for the happy guests to take home.

I keep in the fore front of my mind the effort of each event, whether it be a wedding, baby shower, bar/bat mitzvah or a birthday party, etc. how much effort, time and energy is spent in making their day a very happy memorable day for the families and friends they share their celebration with. I am a part of it and what I create stays with the guests and the hosts. What a wonderful experience! I have an art that will last a lifetime or pass on for generations to come. And to know that, and I have been doing this for years... is even better. Wow!

Take a Pose

I have a collection of different silhouette cuttings and these are just two of several of these type. My plan was to put them in a setting that would be very appealing. But I put these two in a square black frame.

Barbie Themed Birthday Party

This weekend I was quite busy. A Wedding in Manhattan Beach, Barbie Themed Birthday Party and Oktoberfest in Huntington Beach with Weiner-dog Races. Talk about variety. A few quiet moments. Aahhaah! yep! So, I thought it would be fun for the 13 year old recipient to not only get her silhouette done. I would give her a Barbie Silhouette that seems to be part of the popular Barbie thing now, as for the party decor. Just a fun party idea.

Sylhouettes by Sylvia and more.....

So Today I am adding pictures to Picasa and realize that they will link to my blog. an aha moment for me.So click on Miss Huntington Beach and you will see my work and as I blog I will add more pictures and more artwork..

Busy Week

Well, where do I start. I have been trying to create a website and when that is done I will add my link. Being creative is something I love to do. However, doing that and being sick at the same time is almost like hitting a brick wall at 90 mph. I wasn't feeling very focused. Knowing what I wanted. But not knowing how to get there. So I thought I would take a slight break. I have redone my silhouettes to give them more of an appeal as far as presentation is concerned and. I will include some of the pages. However, I have much more to accomplish with many more ideas to complete. It will come together. Problem is. Is that I have already done it all. Just not very good at recording it all and lost a great deal of it during the moves. I have tried to dig some of it up but to no avail. Some of it will slowly surface.