In the world of quilled paper art, every creation is an opportunity to breathe life into the delicate strips of paper, forming intricate designs that capture the essence of the subject. In 2023 I had the pleasure of creating just two scrollwork cats: an orange…
Just before Christmas I finished off this stunning hybrid quilled collaged pink flamingo. It was a spur of the moment project that I actually started because an old friend of mine had expressed how much she loved flamingos and I (at the time) had planned…
Meet Penny the Quilled Dachshund. My first attempt at creating this particular type of dog in this particular portrait style. Overall, I’m pretty happy with how she came out, and I hope to use this technique again in the future.
Quilling, as an art form, offers a myriad of possibilities, and each creation is an opportunity to experiment and innovate. With Penny’s portrait, I decided to take a slightly different approach than my other quilled pet portraits. Instead of painstakingly crafting tiny slivers of paper to mimic her fur, I opted for a more efficient technique using teardrop and marquis shapes. To achieve an ombre, blended effect for the fur on her chest and torso, I hand-painted the quills using soft pastels and Copic markers.
In art, there’s a certain power in simplicity. By using teardrop and marquis shapes, I was able to build up Penny’s portrait more efficiently. It was a reminder that art doesn’t always have to be intricate to be impactful. One of the primary reasons I don’t do more quilled pet portraits is because they are so incredibly time-consuming. A standard 8″ x 8″ canvas will often take me over 40 hours of work to fill with the level of detail necessary to make the paper strips appear to be paint.
Penny’s portrait may not have the hyper-realistic detail of some pet portraits, but it holds a unique charm and warmth that capture her spirit. It’s a reminder that art is not solely about replicating reality—it’s about evoking emotions, preserving memories, and celebrating the bonds we share with our furry companions.
Stacy
I’ve never attempted a portrait using just basic shapes before, so I was pretty nervous that my client (and for that matter, myself) wouldn’t like the end result. Since it was a first-time experience, there are things that I would change if I were to ever do one like this again. Namely the paws. I’m not sure how I would change them, but I don’t like the way Penny’s came out, though the beauty of the rest of the piece made them less noticeable.
This was my fourth attempt at creating a whimsical quilled red Maine lobster, and I was determined to infuse it with the experience and detail it deserved. The result was a whimsical masterpiece bursting with shades of red, crimson, burgundy, peach, aqua, and teal. The…
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,…
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 immense dedication and time. While I may not have plans for immediate pet portraits, my mind is brimming with ideas, and I hope to explore them in test projects over the next year.
Creating Ellie’s quilled paper portrait was an immersive and intricate process. Each stroke of the quilling strip brought her adorable personality to life, capturing her twinkling eyes and the nuances of her variegated fur. Her tongue, in particular, was a challenge, and I found the perfect mulberry paper to create the perfect touch of realism. I take great pride in creating art that truly reflects the spirit and essence of the subject, and Ellie’s portrait was no exception.
Pet portraits hold a special place in the hearts of pet owners, and I always strive to do justice to their beloved furry friends. However, the reality is that these portraits demand weeks of dedicated work, often extending into long hours during nights and weekends. While it is a rewarding process, it can be exhausting for an over-the-hill artist like myself, seeking a balance between passion and much-needed downtime.
As much as I adore creating pet portraits, I recognize the importance of finding a balance in my creative journey. Exploring ways to fulfill the demand for pet portraits while maintaining my well-being has become a priority. I have numerous ideas in mind, and I am excited to embark on test projects over the next year to discover innovative approaches that align with my artistic vision and lifestyle.
See more portraits here.
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 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 as he prepared to cross over the rainbow bridge. Cooper’s story deeply resonated with me as he resembled my own heart dog, and I knew the immense pain his mom was experiencing. Creating a tribute to Cooper became a labor of love, demanding time, dedication, and multiple remakes to capture his essence fully.
Cooper’s story touched my heart from the very beginning. His mom contacted me during a difficult time, as she knew her beloved dog would soon be crossing over the rainbow bridge. Cooper’s gentle eyes and endearing personality reminded me so much of my own heart dog, and I understood the pain she was feeling.
I knew that creating Cooper’s portrait was a task that required unwavering dedication. I wanted to get every detail just right, to capture the essence of this beloved companion fully. Despite the emotional toll it took on me, I was committed to memorializing Cooper with an artwork that reflected his true spirit and beauty.
Working on Cooper’s portrait was an emotional rollercoaster. Seeing his image come to life on paper brought both joy and sorrow. As I worked on each quilled detail, I felt the pain of his mom’s impending loss, and it mirrored my own experience with my heart dog. The weight of her heartbreak was tangible, and it fueled my determination to create something that would bring her comfort.
Creating Cooper’s portrait was no easy task. I remade him three times before I knew I had captured his essence fully. The emotional connection to this portrait made each detail significant, as I wanted to pay homage to the joy and love he brought into his mom’s life. Every quilling strip was a tribute to the memories they shared and the unconditional love they had for each other.
Despite the sadness that surrounded Cooper’s portrait, there was a sense of fulfillment in knowing that I was creating something meaningful and heartfelt. This quilled paper artwork became a lasting memorial for a cherished companion, preserving his memory in a beautiful and tangible form.
See more quilled animal portraits.
I find immense joy in bringing the essence of our beloved furry friends to life through art. Visby’s quilled paper portrait perfectly embodied the lovable and energetic Aussie Doodle dog it was modeled after. Visby’s portrait was the second dog portrait I have created, and…