Think back to the first time you saw a Cirque du Soleil performance. Remember how it made you rethink what it is to be a circus? Beth White’s astonishingly intricate silhouettes are doing the same thing for the centuries-old practice of paper cutting. She is redefining the art. |
Historically considered a poor cousin to photography and portraiture, silhouettes—the name comes from Etienne de Silhouette, the miserly finance minister under Louis XV—once provided an affordable alternative to those more-expensive art forms. And the stereotypical image many have of a silhouette (also called scherenschnitte in German) is the child’s profile hanging in an oval frame on Grandmother’s bedroom wall. |
"What I do is take a black piece of paper, and I draw the image I want on the back. And then I cut away what I don’t want,” she said, even as the pieces hanging around her on the walls of her Sylvan Park condominium bespeak a more complex origin. What White really does is render beautiful, sophisticated images using elaborate patterns that she painstakingly cuts away using a No. 11 X-Acto knife while wearing jeweler’s glasses. The result is art with a wow factor, which has appeared on album covers, book jackets, her own line of greeting cards, and in private collections around the world. |
Perhaps in homage to the heyday of silhouettes in the nineteenth century, many of White’s pieces have a wistful, yesteryear quality to them. “That’s my favorite period,” said White, a Maryland native who came to Nashville in 1973 after graduating from Tulane. “I like the ‘40s, and I did some ‘50s work, and I’ve done modern silhouettes too, but I don’t like them as much. They don’t have the charm. The nineteenth century was a charming era,” she said. |
Recurrent motifs in White’s work, particularly in her earlier pieces, include women, cats, and open windows with curtains wafting in a gentle breeze. “The windows started as a way to layer things; then you have to put somebody in front of them, and women are more fun to do than men. They’re more sensual, and they have more curves; they have more things—physical features, clothing—that you can work with in silhouette. And cats have a sensual thing to them that I really like.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Submitted by: Jackie D.
These Creatively Designed Items Add So Much Joy To a Home
From a bear-shaped door hinge to the cutest bunk bed we’ve ever seen, these creative and brilliantly designed items bring joy to any home!
What a Stunning Russian Folk Dance Performance!
This beautiful Russian folk dance performance titled "Summer" is truly like a ray of sunshine and a breath of fresh air!
These Stunning Photographs Capture the Glory of Nature
The winners and finalists of the BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition highlight how breathtakingly gorgeous our Earth is.
Admire the Detail and Beauty of Hank Cheng’s Dioramas
Hank Cheng's vivid and detailed miniature models, depicting mostly his hometown in Taiwan, are seeing success around the world and rightfully so.
These Stunning Spots Around the World Deserve Recognition
If you still need proof that planet Earth is stunning, take a look at these incredible displays of beauty around the world
12 Vibrant Natural Landscapes Made with Thread and Needle
Embroidery artist Vera Shimunia captures the beauty and vibrancy nature in her art. From mountain terrains to lovely sunsets, here is some oh her best work.
Art Collection: The Most Beautiful and Original Wood Art
In this post, we showcase some of our most beautiful posts about wood art.
Watch Dolly Parton Sing Jolene in A Capella!
When Dolly Parton joined modern a cappella group, The Pentatonix, for a sing song, they recorded this lovely version of the classic ballad, Jolene.
This 'Frozen' Shadow Dance Is Out of This World
Shadow Theatre VERBA presents their performance called 'Frozen', which has already enchanted millions of people from around the world.
String Pulling Art - the Newest Art Technique Out There
Fluid string-pulling art is a fairly new and intriguing art technique that uses chains, strings, and colorful paints to create amazing bouquets of flowers
This Unbelievably Talented Fifteen Year Old Will Amaze
Fifteen year old contortionist, Sofie Dossi will absolutely blow you away with her beautiful act.
16 Cute Animal Videos That'll Melt the Harshest of Frowns
A selection of 16 extremely cute animal videos that will make your day. Prepare to be overwhelmed by their cuteness.
10 Underrated Sci-Fi Masterpieces You Might Have Missed
Check out our recommendations for underrated science-fiction movies.
Frankenstein’s Mother: the Amazing Life of Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley's life was one of great tragedies, but also amazing achievements, being one of the first widely-respected female novelists.
This Performer Glides Through the Air With Ease...
This performance by Oksana Pylypch and her aerial hoop is one for the ages.
Andre Rieu Sings a Wonderful Song For a Beloved Singer
Andre Rieu and Orchestra Playing Heal The World By Michael Jackson
This Young Violinist Will Treat Your Ears to Heaven...
watch as 11 year old Tyler Butler-Figueroa wows the judges of America's Got Talent with his violin music.
20 Hilarious Recreations of Famous Paintings
The Getty Museum challenge contiures - 20 more submissions of people recreating their favourite masterpieces at home with hilarious results.
Nobody Sings This Song Quite Like Frank Sinatra!
Listen to Frank Sinatra's charming performance of Cheek to Cheek and enjoy the presentation we made to go with it.
What This Man Does With Bubbles Will Astound You
I've never seen anyone blow bubbles like that. This performer is a bubble magician!
I Was Blown Away by the Detail in these Spectacular Art Works
Calvin Nicholls' technique seems to be a cross between drawing and sculpture. He uses fine lines of an intricate sketch, yet captures three-dimensionality of a statue. This is a collection of his incredible work.
Amazing Performance: The Levitating Woman!
Stevie Pink amazes the crowd of reality show 'Britain's Got Talent' as his assistant simply.. floats, without any indication that she is being held up by anything! An amazing sight to see, and beautifully performed!
Revealing the Secrets Behind 15 Popular Magic Tricks...
Adults know that there are secrets behind every magic trick, and although a magician can never reveal them, we can….. Tags: Facebook comments
What a Fantastically Creative Musical Performance!
The Piano Guys do it again with this mix of classical and modern music that creates an unforgettable performance.
A Gorgeous Rendition of Nessun Dorma Awaits You...
Witness the intersection of raw talent and pure passion in this unforgettable concert recording of Nessun Dorma
Not Only a Beautiful Shadow Dance, But Also a Story...
An incredibly talented shadow troupe performing an enchanting dance that tells a story...
WATCH: This Dance Is an Ode to Beautiful Mother Nature
This shadow dance, a tribute to nature, will move you to tears through its poignancy and thanks to its stark depiction of the reality that Mother Nature faces.
Woah! How is it Possible to Build Such Beauty Using Sand?
Japanese artist Toshihiko Hosaka has been making sand sculptures for the last two decades and his art will astound you!
When Your Teacher is a Genius with a Piece of Chalk
This Japanese artist is so talented he can create amazing chalk drawings that will only last an hour, just to inspire his beloved students.
This Beautiful Boléro Builds to An Epic Crescendo!
Valery Abisalovich Gergiev conducts the classic Boléro by Ravel in a gorgeous video.
WATCH: Bocelli Stuns Audience With An Amazing Surprise
Legendary tenor, Andrea Bocelli, does a wonderful job accompanying the lost voice of Edith Piaf in a glorious and totally unique performance.
This Quintet Sings Old Sea Medleys So Beautifully...
Watch as they perform 5 medleys: Wellerman, Drunken Sailor, Cape Cod Girls, and Santiana.
I Can't Resist Tapping Along to This Riverdance Show
Featuring the original stars, Michael Flatley and Jean Butler, this Riverdance performance has me cheering like mad!
Let Vivaldi's Music Breathe Renaissance Beauty Over You
Vivaldi is one of the biggest names in all of musical history, and now you can hear why with this collection of 24 of his finest compositions.
The Artist and The Horse: 10 Stunning Works of Art
Take a look at these stunning paintings of horses by these incredible artists.
With These Piano Concertos You'll Be in Musical Paradise!
With the magnificence of the orchestra and the intimacy of a piano, these 24 classic piano concertos simply have it all!
When He Performed His Magic Trick, the Audience Was Amazed
An incredible card trick that left the Britain's Got Talent judges gasping...
13 Iconic Paintings that Changed the Art World Forever
These artists changed the art scene, shaking the world, and leaving a special mark in the historian art scene forever.
This Dance Group Tells an Emotional Story Through Shadows
Watch this shadow dance group put on an emotional performance.
How Is This Possible?! This Artist Draws Like a Printer
This artist earned the nickname “the printer man” for having a unique skill of drawing freehand in small increments, just like a printer
These Intricate Designs Turn Wood into Beautiful Art
This talented artist turns salvaged wood into beautiful art pieces.
15 Unforgettable Paintings by Marc Chagall, Explained
You can explore Marc Chagall's 15 greatest works, presented from various periods in his life.
This Acrobatic Display Will Leave You In Total Disbelief
Whatever the Chinese set their minds to, they seem to be able to achieve better than anyone else. Take a look at this truly stunning acrobatic display.
The Art of Stone Carving Has Been Brought Back to Life!
This amazing artist makes creating sculptures look almost easy, but watch the video to know the real heart and work that goes into it.
Feast Your Eyes on Some Wonderful Realist Art
The Realism art movement originated in France in the 1850s. Take a look at these 7 famous paintings from the Realism art movement to feast your eyes upon.
Watch 32,000 Dominoes Fall in Perfect Synchronisation
We present to you 4 minutes of uninterrupted and absolutely incredible domino action, chock full of bright colors and great pictures.