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.
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.
Fall in Love with these Enchanting Paintings..
Kal Gajoum specializes in oil painting and palette knife techniques. Here are his mesmerizing and magnificent paintings.
Breathtaking Photos of the Largest of Moons in the Sky
This is a real time video of the moon rising over the Mount Victoria Lookout in Wellington, New Zealand. People had gathered up there this night to get the best view possible of the moon rising, as it promised to be quite a sight.
Old Cutlery Turned Into Beautiful Animal Art
Matt Wilson breathes new life into old cutlery by reimagining and molding them as live beings.
I've Seen Paper Portraits Before, But Never Like THIS!
Paper art like you've never seen before, created from raw intuition, paper, and glue.
Travel Former Soviet Union Nations Via Beautiful Bus Stops
Photographer Christopher Herwig traveled across the former Soviet Union capturing colorful and creative old bus and subway stations.
This Human Tower Is An Incredible Acrobatic Performance
An astounding acrobatic performance I can't stop watching.
The Most Creative Street Art From Around the World
A collection of 11 of the most beautiful and creative street art we've come across.
Mix Classical Music With Castanets, And You Get Magic!
It's impossible not to fall in love with this magical mix of different musical styles
A Very Creative Take on Travel - Terrific!
A juggler finds a creative way to make a travel video that's both beautiful and fun!
You'll Need a Cold Shower After Watching This Sultry Dance...
Romance was sure in the air, during this electric dance performance. You might need a cold shower after watching this!
Art Collection: The Most Beautiful and Original Wood Art
In this post, we showcase some of our most beautiful posts about wood art.
30 Works of Art by Vincent van Gogh You May Not Have Seen
Van Gogh is an artist most well know for the severing of his ear and his painting Starry Night. Here are a few other treasures he created.
What This Man Does With Bubbles Will Astound You
I've never seen anyone blow bubbles like that. This performer is a bubble magician!
Have You Ever Seen Hand-Cut Paper Look So Beautiful?
These hand-cut paper artworks are simply stunning, because of their extraordinary level of detail. They have inspired me to give it a go myself!
This Cover of "Mary, Did You Know?" Is Truly Beautiful
Pentatonix, a talented acapella group, are known for making brilliant covers. Their rendition of the classic "Mary, Did You Know?" is hauntingly beautiful.
You Can't Watch This Performance Without Falling in Love...
Alice Fredenham seduced her judges when she delivered this immortal performance of 'My Funny Valentine'.
You May Need to Give These Pictures a Second Look...
Robert Gonsalves specilizes in making the kind of paintings that make you sigh, then amazed, then thoughtful.
These Rare Artifacts Are Bound to Take Your Breath Away...
Get ready to check out some of the most beautiful ancient artifacts that have ever been discovered!
These Canadian Tenors Get a Huge Surprise on Stage
The look on these tenors' faces when they are joined by a special guess is priceless...
This Beautiful Cover of Cher's 'Believe' Melted My Heart...
Watch Ella Henderson perform Cher's believe in the most impeccable way possible.
This Chinese Singer's Vocal Range Will Utterly Astound You
Although she only placed third in a national singing competition in her native China, Jane Zhang has now become a global star. Listen to her mesmerizing voice.
This Pianist Has the Fastest Fingers in the World...
This Chinese pianist has the hands of a musical goddess. This is definitely not one to be missed!
This Little Girl Makes Music That Speaks to All Ages
When she plays the harp, it's like fairy tales coming to life, infusing the world with magic...
This 91-Year-Old's Beautiful Portraits Touch Our Souls
Why feel bitter about aging when you could just enjoy life? This is the lesson of some wonderful artwork from a mother and son team from Canada.
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.
Spectacular Art Will Take You to the East During the 1800s
From his travels, American artist Edwin Lord Weeks created some spectacular art. Take a look at his work.
This Artist Turned Her Unique Paper Art Into a Living
Portuguese artist Sena Runa's beautiful paper quilling art has resulted in her amassing a staggering 100,000 followers. Take a look at her unique work here.
Ever Wondered What a REAL Tango Looks Like? So Beautiful!
The dance of Tango is one full of beauty and passion.
I've Never Seen Anything Like These Cakes. I'm Dumbfounded.
These cake submissions from an online competition are more amazing than I would have ever imagined.
This Extraordinary Girl Sings Her Audience to Sweet Tears
By singing this Broadway class 'Defying Gravity' so amazingly, 12-year-old Beau Dermott defies her age. She could be the next singing sensation.
Watch: This Visual Dance Act Is Out of This World!
The amazing dancing couple, Another Kind of Blue, bring new and exciting techniques to Britain’s Got Talent.
You've Never Seen a Magic Act Like This Before!
This young man stuns an entire audience with his innovative and mind-boggling close-up magic tricks.
7 Scenes that Show the Impact Paintings Have on Cinema
The world of art is full of references to other famous artworks. Here are 7 examples of this from the world of cinema.
This Performer Glides Through the Air With Ease...
This performance by Oksana Pylypch and her aerial hoop is one for the ages.
A Romantic Rainy Day By Jeff Rowland's Lovely Paintings...
Jeff Rowland's paintings are captivating, filled with mystery and romance - take a look at his remarkable work.
See the Beauty of Mushrooms Captured in Stunning Photos
This artist turns mushrooms into stunning arrangements. Check out her stunning artwork here.
The Lost Seventh Wonder of the World, the Hanging Gardens
We have ample evidence for all of the ancient seven wonders of the world, except for one: the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Did it exist?
These Cakes are So Gorgeous and Creative...
We've seen amazing food art before, but these really take the cake...
Astonishing! Animals Through the Eyes of Human Creativity
This collection of breathtaking artworks will capture your attention like no other, as it's all about our best friends forever - animals.
David vs. David: Comparing Two Classic Sculptures
Examining two sculptures by two distinct and famous artists: Donatello and Michelangelo
This Nuance Light Dance is Unlike Any Dance You've Seen
You may have seen many forms of dance, but I'll bet you've never seen something like this...
Will this Acrobat Blow Your Minds as Well?
Watch Kai Ho's dangerous and skilled acrobatic performance.
Listen to Andrea Bocelli in an Epic Duet with a Cello
We encourage you to take a few minutes out of your busy day to enjoy this performance of Anre Bocelli
This Drawing Took 3.5 Years to Complete...
The Japanese have to be some of the most resilient people in the entire world. This artist pays tribute to that notion in a vivid visual representation.
This Boy's Harmonica Skills Are Outstanding!
This child's performance of "Rhapsody in Blue" by Gershwin on the harmonica blew me away. Check it out here!