 Unique items safe on line. By artist Margieanne Moskowitz.
http://www.freewebs.com/margieanne/
Margieanne Moskowitz is known around the globe for her hand cut silhouettes, using only a pair of scissors freehand. The "Shadow Lady" and "M&M" are her nicknames. This is a lost unique art. She is sought out around the world for her detailed stunning cuttings. She is also known for her silly and realistic watercolor paintings as well. Margieanne has had her art sold and displayed in galleries in Florida and Arizona, as well as on the internet in galleries in Israel and Arizona by their request. She has worked at Walt Disney World as their silhouette artist. She is a native of Florida. Margieanne resides with her husband and two beloved cats in Arizona.
SILHOUETTE HISTORY:
The art of cutting a silhouette started in the early 1700's. The very wealthy people had their portraits done in oil. However the poor people used the "shadow artist." These peddlers would do their portraits for a bed or a meal. They had the person sit near a candle or an oil lamp. Their shadow would be cast upon a wood plank or stiff cloth. The artists would then fill it in with charcoal from the fire pit.
Prior to the French revolution, silhouette artists were hired as an amusement for the royal class. The featured artist would attend the many extravagant balls and cut out the distinguished profiles of the Lords and Ladies capturing the latest fashions and elaborate wigs.
While the aristocrats were having their silhouettes cut out and eating like kings, much of Europe was starving, especially in France. In the 1760's the Finance Minister of France, Etienne de Silhouette, had crippled the French people with his merciless tax polices. Oblivious to his people's plight, Etienne was much more interested in his hobby of cutting out paper profiles, the latest fad. Etienne de Silhouette was so despised by the people of France that in protest the peasants wore only black, mimicking his black paper cut outs. The saying went all over France, "We are dressing a la Silhouette. We are shadows, too poor to wear color. We are Silhouettes!" To this very day the black profile cut outs are called silhouettes. Thankfully, the negative connotation no longer remains.
The art of silhouette cutting reached its "golden age" in the 1800's. Many European silhouette artists immigrated and became very famous and rich, catering to the American politicians and very wealthy. Others traveled to county fairs and small towns capturing the profiles and the hearts of countless thousands of ordinary folk. Silhouettes remain as popular today as ever.
Once the camera was invented, it was a blow to this form or art. We of the computer age may be seeing the last generation of silhouette artists.
There is another form of cutting silhouettes. It is done with a sharp knife. The artist will sketch out the subject, pile up to 50 sheets of paper, and then cut it out. It is not as rare, as using a scissor though.
Scissor cutting requires a lot of patience, skill, and coordination. It has become a collector's item. So cherish your cuttings, as they are appreciating in value more and more.
CLICK BELOW TO GO TO GATHER AND SEE A VIDEO OF MARGIEANNE CUTTING.
http://www.gather.com/viewVideo.jsp?id=11821949021847866&nav=MyGather
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