Category: Portraits

Penny the Quilled Dachshund

Penny the Quilled Dachshund

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. A Creative Approach Quilling, as…

Quilled Portrait for a Cause

Quilled Portrait for a Cause

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…

Ellie the Quilled Wheaten Terrier

Ellie the Quilled Wheaten Terrier

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.

Ellie: A Lifelike Masterpiece

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.

The Time and Dedication

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.

Satisfying the Need for Pet Portraits

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.

Work-in-Progress Photos

Fish: A Quilled Samoyed Husky

Fish: A Quilled Samoyed Husky

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…

A Quilled Portrait of Winston the Poodle

A Quilled Portrait of Winston the Poodle

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…

A Quilled Portrait of Dillon the Cat

A Quilled Portrait of Dillon the Cat

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 moment worth it. Dillon was my second attempt at a truly realistic cat portrait, and I am thrilled with how he came out.

Dillon: A Furry Muse

As the second realistic cat portrait I’ve worked on, I was excited to capture Dillon’s unique charm and personality through the art of quilling. His longhaired coat and mesmerizing eyes presented an enchanting challenge that pushed me to innovate and create new techniques.

Crafting Whiskers and Fur

Capturing Dillon’s realistic fur and whiskers in quilled paper art required meticulous attention to detail and texture. I experimented with various quilling techniques, striving to achieve a lifelike representation of his long, flowing coat. Each quilling strip was carefully placed to mimic the subtle nuances of his fur, and the challenge of recreating his mesmerizing eyes was both daunting and exhilarating. He was created using two widths of paper strips: 1/4 and 1/8. I used 1/4 on his face and switched off to 1/8 for his furry mane extending below his neck. This created a sense of depth and dimension.

A Journey of Iterations

Creating Dillon’s portrait involved several iterations as I worked tirelessly to get every detail “just” right. Pet portraits demand perfection, and I was determined to capture Dillon’s unique features with accuracy and authenticity. Each stage of the process was a learning experience, and every remake brought me closer to the masterpiece I envisioned.

See more animal portraits here.

Work-in-Progress Images

Final Image

A Tribute to Cooper

A Tribute to Cooper

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…

Visby’s Quilled Paper Portrait

Visby’s Quilled Paper Portrait

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…

A Tribute to Charlie the GSD

A Tribute to Charlie the GSD

Recently, I had the honor of creating a tribute to Charlie the GSD using the lovely art of quilling. As an artist, I have always believed in the power of art to immortalize moments and emotions that touch our hearts. This piece allowed me to capture Charlie’s essence and preserve his memory in a tangible form that can be cherished forever.

A Touching Tribute to Charlie

Charlie, a loyal and faithful companion, may have crossed the rainbow bridge, but his spirit lives on through my quilled art. This portrait was a heartfelt tribute to a beloved friend who left an indelible mark on the lives of those who knew him. The intricate details of his beautiful fur and the undeniable sadness in his eyes were elements that I strived to capture authentically, ensuring that his memory would forever be memorialized with care and reverence.

A Swift and Special Creation

Creating Charlie’s quilled portrait was a unique experience for me. For some inexplicable reason, his features, coloration, and personality seemed to effortlessly flow from my fingertips onto the canvas. It’s as if Charlie himself guided my hands, allowing me to work through the portrait with surprising speed and an overwhelming sense of connection. While the process of crafting each quilled piece is usually meticulous and time-consuming, Charlie’s portrait felt like a labor of love that was executed with grace and ease.

A Portrait with a Magazine Moment

Charlie’s quilled portrait has a remarkable connection to a pivotal moment in my artistic journey. During a photoshoot for Downeast Magazine, I had the opportunity to include Charlie’s portrait as part of my portfolio. This added layer of significance makes Charlie’s portrait more than just a beautiful piece of art – it has become a symbol of my growth as an artist and the recognition of my work by a respected publication. Every time I look at his portrait, I’m reminded of this exciting moment and the impact that my art has had on others.

See more Animal Portraits.

Work-in-Progress Images

Final Images

A Quilled Portrait of Sylvia the Siamese Cat

A Quilled Portrait of Sylvia the Siamese Cat

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…