Because I made so many cats on a regular basis, instead of creating a separate post for each cat, I’m going to condense my cats by year. This particular post will house all my Scrollwork Cats of 2022. And, because the cats are truly that…
As a quilled paper artist, my journey into this captivating art form has been filled with challenges and triumphs. Among my creations, the phoenix holds a special place in my heart. It is a symbol of transformation and rebirth, which resonates deeply with me. Today,…
Recently, I had the privilege of working on a unique and deeply meaningful project for Calcium USA, a company with a pro-bono campaign idea aimed at promoting fentanyl test strips to prevent overdose deaths. The centerpiece of the campaign was a monochromatic portrait of a man who tragically lost his life to a fentanyl overdose. What made this project truly exceptional was that most of the quilling strips used were fentanyl test strips, creating a poignant and powerful connection between art and the fight against the opioid crisis. In this blog post, I will share the story of creating this special quilled paper portrait for a cause.
Creating the quilled paper portrait of the man who lost his life to a fentanyl overdose was a deeply moving experience. The shades of blue, carefully crafted from the fentanyl test strips, added an emotional weight to the artwork. It was a visual representation of the tragic consequences of the opioid crisis and a reminder of the lives lost to this devastating epidemic.
Working with an atypical medium like fentanyl test strips pushed the boundaries of my creativity as an artist. I had to experiment with different techniques and approaches to ensure that the portrait captured the essence and emotion of the subject. Quilling human features was also a new and demanding challenge, requiring meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of the subject’s personality.
While the campaign may not have come to fruition, the opportunity to create this quilled paper portrait held great meaning for the man’s family. I felt a profound responsibility to honor his memory and to offer some solace to his loved ones through art. The portrait became a tribute to his life and a reminder of the impact of the opioid crisis on families across the nation.
The thought that this quilled portrait could potentially save lives through the pro-bono campaign was both humbling and powerful. Art has the ability to spark conversations and raise awareness about critical issues. I felt privileged to be part of a project that aimed to make a positive change and promote the use of fentanyl test strips to prevent overdoses.
As an artist, I am reminded of the power of art to tell stories, evoke emotions, and create awareness around critical issues. This project fueled my passion for creating art that makes a difference, and I will continue to use my creativity to bring attention to meaningful causes through my quilled paper art.
Work-in-Progress Photos
Final Photos
Ellie the Quilled Wheaten Terrier was the last dog portrait I made in 2022. It was a whirlwind of sweet puppers from spring until late fall, and I desperately needed a break. Creating pet portraits is a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it also demands…
I recently created a quilled tribute to white birch. The awe-inspiring fall splendor that graces Maine each year served as the perfect muse for this piece. Fall is my favorite time of the year, not only for its perfect temperatures and diminished humidity but also…
Meet Fish: A Quilled Samoyed Husky. Fish’s portrait was a gift commissioned to cherish his memory after he crossed over the rainbow bridge. This portrait presented a unique challenge as he was an all-white dog, requiring careful attention to detail to convey his fur’s texture and direction accurately. Despite the difficulty, I was determined to capture the grace and beauty of this magnificent creature.
Capturing the essence of an all-white Samoyed Husky was no easy task, as I needed to maintain the true-to-color representation while also creating a sense of fur direction and texture. Each quilling strip needed to be carefully placed to bring out the nuances of his beautiful fur, and I spent countless hours working to perfect his likeness. To ensure a life-like look and feel, I used glazed paper domes for his eyes and a single piece of pink mulberry paper for his tongue.
Photographing Fish’s portrait was an equally challenging endeavor. Capturing the intricacies of quilled paper art in a photograph requires precision and attention to lighting. I wanted to showcase the details of his portrait but not blow out the highlights or make his fur appear gray. Patience and experimentation were key as I aimed to produce the best representation of this majestic Samoyed Husky.
Creating Fish’s portrait not only allowed me to explore new techniques for depicting white fur but also provided the opportunity to enhance details such as his tongue. Using a solid piece of mulberry paper for his tongue brought a level of authenticity that truly enhanced his overall appearance, adding depth and character to the piece. I have used that technique on a couple other portraits and feel as though it’s a much nicer look than trying to craft it out of paper strips.
See more Dogs.
As a quilled paper artist, I am constantly inspired by the beauty and charm of our furry companions. My latest paper art piece depicts a quilled portrait of Winston the poodle. Isn’t he adorable? Winston’s portrait presented a delightful challenge as I aimed to capture…
I present to you a quilled portrait of Dillon the Cat. Pet portraits like Dillon’s are truly a labor of love, as they demand weeks of dedication and numerous iterations to achieve perfection. But the joy of capturing Dillon’s unique features and essence made every…
As an artist, there are moments in my creative journey that stand out as exceptional, and one such recent experience was crafting an exquisitely detailed double monogram embedded within a bustling tropical reef made entirely of paper. This art piece presented a unique challenge and an opportunity to push the boundaries of my craft. I am thrilled to share the story behind this double monogram with a reef them and its intricate creation, exploring the dense and lively design of the tropical reef with its layers of rocks, corals, and vibrant colors. Join me as I dive into the depths of my artistic process and uncover the magic of the double monogram with its clever incorporation of fish stripes bearing names.
The tropical reef project was a labor of love that brought to life the vibrant ecosystem of the ocean. Working with paper allowed me to explore the textures, colors, and details of the underwater world with astonishing precision. The challenge was to create a busy and lively design that captured the essence of a real tropical reef, and I was eager to immerse myself in the process.
One of the most thrilling aspects of this project was incorporating the double monogram within the fish stripes. Each fish bore a name, ingeniously created from the unique patterns on their bodies. It was a clever twist that added a personalized touch to the artwork, making it not only a visual delight but also an intimate tribute to its owners.
The tropical reef’s design demanded meticulous attention to detail. I crafted layers of rocks, corals, and marine plants, paying close attention to texture and color variations. The vibrant hues of the corals contrasted with the earthy tones of the rocks, creating a harmonious and lively composition.
Work-in-Progress Images
Final Image
As a paper artist, I have had the privilege of creating many pet portraits, each one unique and special in its own way. Recently, I was approached by a heartbroken pet parent, Cooper’s mom, who wanted a quilled paper portrait to remember her beloved dog…
