I’m going to try a new approach to my scrollwork cats. Instead of creating a separate post each time I make one, I’m going to add to this “Scrollwork Cats of 2024” post. So far in 2024, I have created six Original Scrollwork Cats. You…
I often fail to get holiday-themed pieces done BEFORE the holidays, but this year I somehow managed to get a new cat done, and with a few days to spare. Pretty impressive, huh? This Valentine’s Day Cat 2024 is hopefully one of several themed cats…
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 tabby named Larry in August, and a black, orange, and white calico in October.
Over the years, I have made over a hundred of these cute kitty cats. They have been my most popular personalizable item outside of typography. One of these days I plan to make a count of how many of each color. If I had to guess, I’d say that orange, black, and white calicos have been the more frequently requested, though I’ve done a lot of black cats, too.
As I write this, it’s actually in hindsight because right now, as I’m typing, it’s March 5, 2024. This year I have created six scrollwork cats. Do you love my Original Scrollwork Cats? See the entire gallery here.
Love my Signature Scrollwork cats, but want to attempt making your own? Head over to my Etsy shop and buy the hugely popular tutorial. It’s appropriate for all quilling levels, from beginner to advanced. It comes with step-by-step instructions as well as video access for visual learners.
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…
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…
In the world of quilled paper art, every piece is an intricate dance of creativity and craftsmanship. Recently, I had the privilege of creating a quilled portrait of Sylvia, a blue point Siamese cat. This portrait was not only a labor of love but also a lesson in embracing imperfections and learning to trust the artistic process.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Sylvia’s portrait was crafting her distinctive pearl collar. I meticulously formed domed tight coils, delicately gilded them with silver, and added a layer of diamond coat glazing. The result was a realistic and stunning collar that adorned Sylvia’s neck with an air of regal charm. This small yet intricate detail truly added depth and character to the entire piece.
While the journey of creating Sylvia’s portrait was a fulfilling one, it also came with valuable lessons. As an artist, I’m often my harshest critic. A last-minute decision to alter the direction of Sylvia’s fur on her face proved to be a lesson in trusting my instincts. In hindsight, I realized that my initial approach was the right one, and I should have embraced it instead of overthinking.
My husband has often reminded me to trust the creative process and refrain from discarding pieces that I deem imperfect. Sylvia’s portrait taught me the importance of embracing imperfections and recognizing that my critical eye may not align with the viewer’s perspective. What I saw as a fault, others might interpret as a unique touch that adds character to the artwork.
See more Animal Portraits.
There were a lot of Scrollwork Cats of 2021. It was probably my busiest year since I began making them, in part because of a promotion I was offering to get some demo pieces for my new styles. This was the first year I started…
Winnie was my first attempt at creating an ultra-realistic quilled tabby cat portrait. For some reason, whether it was her markings or colors or something else, the result came out unimpeded. Her face just seemed to build itself, while I normally struggle to get the…
This quilled cat portrait of Marigold, my second foray into the world of realism, pushed the boundaries of my craft, building upon the lessons learned from my previous creation and striving for a level of intricacy that mirrored Marigold’s unique presence.
Marigold—the name itself carries a vibrant, timeless charm, much like the cat it represents. Marigold wasn’t just a pet; she was a companion who etched her pawprints on the hearts of those who knew her. Crafting her portrait was an honor, a way of immortalizing her spirit in the delicate art of quilling.
With my first venture into realism—a quilled portrait of a cat named Bean—as a stepping stone, I embarked on creating Marigold’s portrait. My goal was clear: to push the boundaries of realism even further, to capture the essence of Marigold in every curve, every shade, and every detail. Armed with the lessons and insights gained from the Bean portrait, I was ready to embark on a new adventure.
The process of creating Marigold’s quilled portrait was not just about crafting an artwork—it was about refining techniques, learning from past mistakes, and finding new ways to depict life using nothing but paper, glued on its edge. Each stroke, each coil, and each curve was a testament to growth and artistic evolution.
One of the notable differences in Marigold’s portrait was the incorporation of tight coils to simulate whisker buds—those precious points from which the whiskers emerge on a cat’s muzzle. This small addition was a nod to the minutiae that define a cat’s features, an acknowledgment of the finer details that contribute to an animal’s unique identity.
In my pursuit of realism, I paid special attention to the inner ear area. Adding subtle touches of pink not only added depth and dimension to the portrait but also captured the nuances of Marigold’s physiology. It was a detail that brought her to life on paper, one delicate coil at a time.
Creating Marigold’s portrait was a process of learning, iterating, and iterating again. The lessons gleaned from my first venture into realism informed every stroke and curve. The portrait was a canvas of growth—a testament to my commitment to refining my craft and embracing every step of the creative journey.
I recently created a monogram with a touch of playfulness – a quilled letter L monogram with a feline twist. A combination of my signature scrollwork fat cats perched on the horizontal bar of the L. The idea of combining the purple with the endearing…
