Tidepool Royalty: A Blue Crab Paper Sculpture Under Glass

For collectors who are drawn to coastal life, intimate craftsmanship, and artwork that invites a closer look, Who Let the Crab In? offers a miniature world of wonder beneath a clear glass dome.

This one-of-a-kind paper sculpture by Melinda Fabian captures the spirited presence of a blue crab in an imagined undersea habitat—an elegant conversation piece for a shelf, mantel, display cabinet, coastal home, or collector’s niche.

Measuring 4.5 inches high by 4 inches wide, the work is created with hand-cut paper, watercolor, and gouache. Its layered sea plants, coral-like shapes, anemone forms, and sandy base create a sense of depth and movement that rewards slow looking.

What makes this piece especially collectible is its balance of playfulness and precision. The blue crab brings personality and surprise, while the delicate paper elements reveal the artist’s careful hand and deep fascination with the mysteries of the ocean.

Displayed under glass, Who Let the Crab In? feels both protected and precious—like a small marine specimen, a memory from the shoreline, and a sculptural jewel all at once. It is an artwork meant to spark curiosity, delight guests, and bring the poetry of the ocean into an interior space.

Available for purchase:Who Let the Crab In? can be viewed in person or online through Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, North Carolina. Collectors interested in adding a distinctive coastal sculpture to their collection are encouraged to inquire while it is available.

Capturing a World of Color: A Hand-Cut Paper Sculpture for Collectors of Coastal Wonder

Introducing “Capturing a World of Color” — an original paper sculpture for collectors drawn to wonder, craftsmanship, and the beauty of the natural world.

For the fine art collector seeking a piece that invites close looking, “Capturing a World of Color” offers an intimate, highly detailed encounter with an imagined underwater world. This three-dimensional sculpture centers on a cylindrical clear glass vessel, surrounded by a richly textured sculptural base in luminous pink, orange, and yellow hues. Organic forms reminiscent of coral, exotic marine plants, and starfish create a sense of life, movement, and discovery from every angle.

Inside the glass, layered hand-painted paper elements form a vibrant aquatic landscape of blues, reds, and greens. A sea turtle moves among the plants, adding narrative charm and a quiet focal point for the viewer. As light passes through the clear glass, the color, texture, and depth of the piece shift subtly, giving the sculpture a living quality that rewards repeated viewing.

The inspiration behind “Capturing a World of Color” comes from the extraordinary biodiversity and visual richness of underwater ecosystems. Rather than presenting a traditional aquarium, I reimagined the reef as a sculptural world contained within and extending beyond glass—an artwork that blurs the line between vessel, habitat, and dreamlike seascape.

Each element is individually hand-cut from acid-free and archival paper and meticulously painted with watercolor and gouache. The sandy beach beneath the glass is also created from finely cut paper, while the coral reef appears both inside the vessel and along the exterior base. This continuation of form gives the sculpture a cohesive composition and highlights the precision, patience, and originality behind the work.

For collectors, the appeal of “Capturing a World of Color” lies in its combination of technical delicacy, imaginative storytelling, and environmental reverence. It is a celebration of natural forms, vivid color, and the fragile wonder of aquatic life—an intimate statement piece suited for a curated collection, coastal residence, or space where art becomes a daily invitation to pause and look closer.

“Capturing a World of Color” is available to experience in person at Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, North Carolina, or online through Seaside Art Gallery.

Collectors interested in distinctive paper sculpture, marine-inspired artwork, or finely crafted dimensional pieces are invited to view this work while it is available.

“Capturing a World of Color”
Paper sculpture with hand-cut paper, watercolor, gouache, and glass
8” high x 4” wide
$895.00

"Majestic Jewel Peacock" - A Regal 3D Paper Sculpted Peacock

With Majestic Peacock Jewel, I set out to capture the mesmerizing beauty and proud presence of one of nature’s most striking birds—the peacock. This piece is a detailed paper sculpture combining hand-cut and painted elements to bring the vibrancy and texture of the peacock’s vivid plumage to life in an intimate yet commanding way.

Measuring 9.75” by 13” within a 15” by 12” shadowbox, Majestic Peacock Jewel is one of my more expansive compositions to date, inviting viewers to lean in and explore the intricate layers that define the bird’s form and surroundings. The peacock’s body is rendered in a rich, almost electric blue, crafted from an array of three-dimensional paper feathers that offer both depth and a subtle tactile quality. Each individual feather in the tail is hand-painted to reveal the iconic eye-like patterns in blues, greens, and purples, creating an almost hypnotic spread that seems to shimmer within the frame.

The background immediately sets a warm, vibrant tone, featuring swirling motifs in golden-orange hues that contrast beautifully with the cooler tones of the bird. These swirling designs are not mere decoration but part of the visual rhythm, echoing the elegant curves of the tail feathers and reinforcing the regal grandeur of the subject. In the upper right corner, a cluster of lush green leaves adds a natural counterbalance to the composition, anchoring the piece in a garden-like setting that hints at the lush environment where these magnificent birds thrive.

Majestic Peacock Jewel draws its inspiration from a memorable visit to a garden alive with peacocks, where one male—I nicknamed “Henry”—captured my imagination. Henry’s confident strut and extravagant displays of fanned feathers, flaunting jade and violet hues, were as commanding as they were beautiful. It was this experience that rekindled my fascination with the texture and complexity of peacock feathers, inspiring me to craft a piece that honors their natural splendor while emphasizing their tactile, sculptural qualities through layered paper and paint.

The process was both meticulous and rewarding. Each feather required precision cutting and detailed painting to capture the subtle color shifts and iconic eye patterns characteristic of peacock plumage. The three-dimensional layering creates an interplay of light and shadow that imbues the bird with presence beyond the flat plane, offering viewers the chance to appreciate the physicality and elegance of the feathers up close.

The fiery orange background, accented with delicate gold swirls, was deliberately chosen to convey a sense of majesty and warmth, framing the peacock in a glow that elevates its regal aura. This backdrop also visually separates the bird from its environment, highlighting the boldness of its form and the intricate handwork involved in sculpting its feathers.

Majestic Peacock Jewel is more than a representation of an exotic bird; it is an homage to the vibrant energy and splendid complexity of nature. Its layered textures, refined details, and vivid color palette invite collectors and viewers into a tactile experience that bridges realism with decorative elegance. This piece holds a distinctive place within my body of work as a celebration of natural beauty expressed through paper sculpture—a medium uniquely suited to capturing texture, depth, and color variation.

For those who appreciate fine craftsmanship and three-dimensional artistry, Majestic Peacock Jewel offers a captivating addition to any collection. Its scale is substantial enough to command attention on a feature wall, yet intimate in its details, rewarding careful, contemplative viewing.

Majestic Peacock Jewel is currently available for viewing and purchase at Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, NC. Priced at $2,850, it stands as a refined statement piece for collectors who value both the technical rigor of hand-cut paper sculpture and the lyrical narrative of wildlife inspired art.

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#PaperSculpture #PeacockArt #DimensionalArt #FineArtCollectors #HandCutPaper #MixedMedia #NatureInspired #WildlifeArt #SeasideArtGallery #NagsHeadArt

Flower Wall Art - Monarch Butterfly on Thistles

Flower Power - 3 Thistles and Monarch - Wall Art

This series is comprised of three distinct, yet harmonious, 6" x 6" artworks, each vividly capturing the enchanting dance between purple thistles and delicate monarch butterflies on a lush green stage.

These three paper sculptures are a part of the Florals: Hello Spring! show at Seaside Art Gallery!

My inspiration for this series emerged during a walk in a local park, a transformed golf course now blooming with natural plants and wildflowers such as thistles and milkweed. As I wandered, I was struck by the vivid green and purple thistles swaying alongside fluttering monarchs. It is an amazing contrast. Delicate butterflies fluttering all around the thick thorny stems of these thistle plants, looking for a purple puffball flower to land on.

Creating this series was a compelling journey, drawing me deeper into the delicate intricacies of nature. Each piece in the series stands on its own, yet together, they form a narrative rich in life and resilience. Whether you decide to grace your space with one, two, or the complete trio, each piece shares a unique story woven with precision and care. All three of these paper sculptures are available at Seaside Art Gallery Seaside Art Gallery

While the butterflies gracefully perch on thorny hosts, this artwork serves as a subtle reminder of life's persistent beauty amid trials. It invites you to embrace a moment of stillness, to see the grace in obstacles, and to marvel at nature's choreography.

This series is more than a collection of paintings; it's a celebration of life's vibrant dance, offering a glimpse into the world’s silent symphony, waiting to be discovered and cherished."

Please subscribe to Melinda’s Monthly Newsletter to stay up to date on my latest work and to receive a discount in my shop.

"Cuddles" the Framed Orange Cat Wall Art

Introducing "Cuddles," my latest artwork that's a heartfelt tribute to comfort and tranquility, all wrapped up in the delightful form of a cat. This piece, measuring a cozy 6” x 6” x 1.25” (including the frame), is created using hand-cut paper, watercolor, and gouache—an exploration that allowed me to delve deeper into the textures and colors that underscore the beauty of our feline friends.

At the heart of "Cuddles" lies the endearing portrayal of an orange tabby cat, brought to life with intricate details and vibrant hues. The cat reclines on a soft green cloth (made from paper), its in a relaxed pose—a sweet moment of calm that speaks volumes about the serene aspects of a cat's nature. With striking green eyes gazing soulfully out of the frame, the viewer is invited into a quiet, contemplative space where the colors of the background—blue to green gradients—mirror the depth in the cat’s eyes.

The process of creating "Cuddles" held a distinct uniqueness. From selecting the perfect palette to meticulously layering the paper and applying delicate paint strokes, each step was an opportunity to infuse a touch of life into the artwork. Notice the thinly hand-cut whiskers come out of the flat paper to create a three-dimensional scene. The blanket, made out of paper, is also three dimensional, adding that cozy, comfy feeling we get when we see our favorite blanket. Each aspect of the paper sculpture, is meticulously planned to harmonize the vivid colors with the intricate details.

The framing choice—a sleek black frame—was intentional, designed to accentuate the vibrancy of the scene and draw the viewer's eye to every delicate nuance and hue. This framing further enhances the vividness of the artwork, serving as a contrasting border that invites closer examination and deeper appreciation of the textures and depths within the piece.

What inspired "Cuddles" was the universal charm of cats and their unique way of turning any space into a sanctuary of warmth and affection. There is a gentle, soothing quality found in the presence of a cat that I aimed to capture—a reminder of the quieter, harmonious moments that weave into the fabric of our everyday lives.

"Cuddles" is a celebration of these little moments of peace and the gentle companionship that cats offer. Through this artwork, I hope to evoke a sense of warmth and tranquility, inspiring viewers to find their own cozy corners of the world. Whether you're a cat lover or simply someone who appreciates the gentle artistry of nature, "Cuddles" offers a little respite, an invitation to pause and relish the serene joy it envisions.

“Cuddles” is available for purchase. Please email melinda@MelindaFabian.com for purchase information.

#BirdArtWeek2025

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Invites Artists to Share their Bird Art During #BirdArtWeek2025 on Instagram - (@cornellbirds) in a week long event where you could post images of your bird art work. Even though I am not currently working on a paper sculpture of a bird, I have definitely created many birds over the years. I drew many illustrations of birds for magazine editorial pages such as these robins and also my own line of Can You Find?® greeting cards such as this owl illustration . But, I also created many three-dimensional birds out of hand cut paper and paint. I thought it would be fun to see how many paper sculpted birds I created over the years. Here’s a few examples:

That’s a lot of birds! There are probably a few more that I missed, but I like this sampling! Do you think I should make another paper sculpted bird? Which one should I do next? Some of the three-dimensional paper sculpted birds are available for purchase. Please let me know if you would like more information.

"Please Don't Bug Me!" - a 3D Paper Sculpture

I'm thrilled to share my miniature paper sculpture titled "Please Don't Bug Me!" This piece is a delightful dip into the whimsical and lively world of nature, all brought to life through the meticulous medium of hand-cut paper, watercolor, and gouache.

Imagine leaning in to inspect a small 1.5" x 1.5" creation, set within a minimalist dark brown frame measuring 6" x 6". The artwork features two realistic, three-dimensional acorns with textured brown caps, nestled against an oak branch with vividly detailed green leaves. These elements are so lifelike, you can almost feel the texture of the acorns and the veins on the leaves. But wait, there’s a delightful twist—peer a little closer, and you might spot a curious praying mantis engaging in a playful stare-off with you!

When crafting "Please Don't Bug Me!", I embraced the joy of bringing together realism and whimsy. The title plays on this charming duality—the praying mantis and the viewer both staring at one another! Having a praying mantis amidst the serene acorn-and-oak composition cheekily demands a smile from the viewer.

The intricate process of creating this miniature sculpture was indeed a labor of love. Every detail, from the acorns' caps to the tender veins of the leaves, was carefully crafted to ensure an authentically natural feel. The small size posed its own challenges, requiring precision and patience, but it also granted the freedom to pour my heart into each delicate component.

This piece, (and five other paper sculptures), was entered into the Miniature Art Society of Florida’s 2025 International Miniature Art Exhibition. The journey with “Please Don’t Bug Me” has been incredibly rewarding, especially as it has brought me the honor of receiving the Sculpture and Scrimshaw Award. With "Please Don't Bug Me!" selling right on the first day of the show, it just adds to my excitement and nurtures my passion for paper sculptures that enchant and amuse.

For those who'd like to experience this creation in person, it is available as part of an exhibition at the Gallery at Creative Pinellas in Largo, Florida. The show will be open from January 19 through February 9, 2025. I'm displaying a total of six pieces, each ready to spark wonder and joy. Whether you visit online or in person, there's always something special to discover in the colorful realm of my artwork.

View Arts Center - Paper Cutters: "Paper Trails" Gallery Show

Two of my paper sculpture pieces have been accepted into the Paper Cutters: “Paper Trails” show at View Arts Center, 3272 State Route 28, in Old Forge, NY 13420. The exhibition runs from June 1 - July 21, 2024. The View Arts Center is located in the Arts in the Heart of the Adirondacks. If you happen to be in the area, please stop by to check out the exhibition. Please go to View Arts Center for more information. View partnered with the Guild of American Papercutters (GAP) for this wonderful exhibition.

“Majestic Forest” is a richly textured and dynamic paper sculpture showcases a magnificent bald eagle perched on a branch, with intricate details that bring the scene to life. Vibrant colors and a dynamic composition create a sense of depth and movement, invoking the eagle's natural habitat with an artistic flair. Medium: Hand cut paper, watercolor and gouache 5” x 7” x 1.25”………………..$495.00

“Autumn Ants”

Step into the enchanting world of "Autumn Ants," where the essence of fall is vividly captured in a realistic portrayal of the forest floor. Tiny ants weave their way through the scene, adding a touch of whimsy. Scattered leaves, acorns, a gum ball and seed pod are layered throughout creating depth.

Medium” Hand cut paper, watercolor and gouache 5” x 7” x 1.25”……………….$495.00

Under the Sea Themed Print

"Aquatic Harmony" is a vibrant and colorful representation of marine life, featuring sea turtles, fish, shells, and sea anemones. The background is a beautiful shade of blue, giving the impression of water and creating a serene underwater scene.

One unique aspect of this artwork is that the sea turtles, sea anemones, seashells, and fish are all created from hand sculpted paper and paint, giving them a three-dimensional quality. Each element is meticulously crafted to showcase intricate patterns and textures, adding depth and movement to the composition.

The process of creating "Aquatic Harmony" was a labor of love, as I carefully painted and assembled each piece to bring this underwater world to life. The combination of paper and paint allowed me to explore different techniques and textures, resulting in a dynamic and cheerful artwork that is sure to captivate viewers.

I hope that "Aquatic Harmony" brings a sense of tranquility and joy to all who see it, and that it serves as a reminder of the beauty and diversity of marine life. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my artwork, and I look forward to sharing more of my creations with you in the future.

You can keep up to date with my latest paper sculptures I am working on by subscribing to my newsletter. Newsletter Sign-Up Link Sometimes I will share a glimpse into my studio for a behind-the-scenes look. ALl captured in the email newsletter.

Part Eight - Organized Undersea Paper Sculptures!

This is how I organize all of my under the sea pieces. It is a collection of meticulously hand-made paper sculptures inspired by the vibrant biodiversity of the ocean. Each piece is carefully hand-cut and painted in watercolor and gouache to create a lifelike and three-dimensional effect. I arranged these undersea creatures and plants in a variety of storage containers, not only keeping them neatly organized but also allowing for quick and easy access when creating the under the sea themed artworks. From graceful sea turtles to delicate sea anemones, every creation is primed for use in framed pieces or as standalone sculptures, demonstrating the artist's impeccable attention to detail and boundless creativity.

Part Seven - Time to Make the Seashells!

Seashells

Next, I wanted to make some seashells for my series of Under the Sea themed paper sculptures. I have a lot of seashells that I can use as my reference material in order to make shells out of paper.

After creating lots of sea-grasses, sea plants, and seaweed out of paper, I was ready to start making three-dimensional paper seashells. I’ve made other seashells out of paper in the past and always enjoyed if. Her is one of my photo realistic paper shell pictures.

One of the best things about making paper seashells (besides the fact that I think seashells are so pretty), is that it was very easy to find reference material for this part of the project.

Before diving in to make any shells, first, I had to look through my seashell collection. Well, it isn’t really a collection, I don’t seek out to find seashells to add to the ones I already have, but I must admit, I do have a lot of shells that I’ve somehow accumulated over the years. I am not even certain where they all came from.

A large variety of seashells that I can use as reference material to make paper shells.

I have some very pretty, dark magenta scallop shells and tan and ivory scallop shells. These are some of my favorite-colored shells and some of my favorite type of seashells to make. Can you spot the real scallop seashell in the photo below? I made a bunch of paper sculpted scallop seashells.The magenta colored scallop shells are my favorites of this variety. What colored scallop shell is your favorite?

One real, deep magenta scallop seashell amongst paper sculpted scallop seashells.

It did take me quite a few tries to figure out how to make the scallop shells. I wasn’t happy with the first couple of scallop shells that I made, but I kept working at it and discovered a way to make them so they looked realistic. 

I liked the challenge of trying to make the seashells out of paper and making them look so realistic that you can’t even tell which is the real seashell and which seashells are made out of paper.

Below are photos of my paper sculpted photos. Some of the photos include the real photo alongside of the paper sculpted seashell.

Paper Sculpted Starfish - Part Six

Starfish

Over the years I visited a couple of aquariums, some on the east coast and some on the west coast. Visiting different places, such as aquariums, different beaches, can really inspire you to create new art pieces. The best, most inspirational areas I’ve been to were beaches in California. The rocky beaches were home to sea urchins, sea anemones, a variety of starfish, teeny tiny crabs, snails and seashells. It was amazing!

Like many artists, I have so many ideas of things that I want to create. Sometimes it takes literally years, to work it into the schedule. Although, other times, I think it takes a long time for that idea to really “work” (or maybe a better word may be “percolate”) its way to the top of the list. Even though I have an idea for a series in mind, and even though I am not actively working on the project, I do think your mind is working and thinking through the project in a much more passive way, and eventually, when the time is right, the project will come forward and reveal more of itself when it is ready.

Eventually, I came up with the idea of creating an entire series of Under the Sea Themed Paper Sculpture Aquariums. This series will all have a common, cohesive look to the paper sculptures due to the fact that the sculptures will all be made inside similar glass containers.

From time to time I have made quite a few ocean themed paper sculpted art pieces. Even though my original three-dimensional brightly colored coral reef paper sculpture has sold, you can still purchase that coral reef image on a spiral notebook.

I also made a very photo realistic paper sculpture, appropriately titled, “Paper Shells”. Even the sand is made out of hand cut painted paper.

Inspired from when I would go crabbing in Maryland, ere are just a few photos of some of the blue crab themed paper sculptures I made.

So far, I’ve been making a lot of the individual pieces that will go into this new Under the Sea Aquarium final pieces. So far, I made coral, seagrass, seashells, and sea turtles all out of paper and paint.

Now I needed to make some colorful starfish. Did you know there are over 2000 different starfish species around the world in a variety of different colors, styles and shapes. Most starfish have five arms, but some starfish, also known as sea stars and can have as many as 40 arms. That’s a lot of arms! As you can tell, I enjoy researching the items that I am going to make. Those  are just a few of the facts I learned.

Above, is a photo of a very interesting starfish I saw in a beach in California. At first I thought it was a little octopus. I didn’t know that starfish could have such long skinny arms. It was so interesting to watch it move all around and in between the rocks.

The starfish I made for the Under the Sea Aquariums are very colorful and vibrant. I wanted to stick to the color palette I had chosen for all of the aquariums. Pictured below is a sampling of my color palette - magenta, purples, gold, blues and greens. Vibrant and colorful.

To create the starfish, I started out with white paper. When I liked the size, shape and dimensionality of the starfish, next I added texture to them. I also wanted to emulate the rough texture a lot of starfish have.The final step was to paint them in the gorgeous purples, oranges and golds that you can see in the photos below. The finished three-dimensional starfish are colorful and have lots of texture as shown in the photos below.

Paper Sea Turtles - Part Five

Sea Turtles

I’ve always heard many stories and read articles about the sea turtles that lay their eggs on the beaches, and then when the baby turtles hatch, somehow, they have to make their way to the beach. It is a long trek and can be a dangerous one for these little animals.

I decided I wanted to make several final images using my under the sea aquarium concept to highlight sea turtles. I want to show some of the sea turtles still on the beach, hatching out of their eggs.I also wanted to illustrate the concept of the long, difficult journey that these sea turtles have to take to crawl back into the ocean.

Now that I had an idea in mind, along with some rough sketch ideas, I was well underway to developing my under the sea series, complete with sea turtles.

I started making a couple of different sea turtles using paper and then painting them in watercolor and gouache. They are about 1” - 2” in size. I love this turtles little face!

The babies are only about .5 inches. After making these adorable little sea turtles I got to work on creating their little eggs. Below are photos of some of the turtles I made so far.

Next, I will make some colorful starfish for my under the sea aquariums.

Creating Sea Anemones out of Paper and Paint - Part Four

Sea Anemone

Sea anemones are unusual creatures and a joy to watch. They look so peaceful and graceful as they move their tentacles over their bodies. But, don’t be fooled by the graceful dance of this under the sea flower, because they will sting to catch their prey. Looks can be deceiving.

Recreating the gently moving tentacles out of paper was a challenge and it took some experimentation to discover which type of paper to use. I feel I captured the feeling of these interesting, but sometime dangerous creatures.

Starting a New Series

Planning Stage For a New Paper Sculpture Series!

I decided I wanted to work in a new series – with an under the sea theme. I also decided I wanted the completed sculptures to have a different look than my other pieces. Instead of using a shadowbox frame, I wanted to create something new, something other than a framed paper sculpture. I wasn’t quite sure what exactly I was looking for, but felt when I came across it, I would know it and my ideas would begin to come together and make a little more sense. Sometimes this is just part of the process that you have to go through when you are trying to design an entirely new type of sculpture.

I began searching for various shapes of glass containers. As I came across various containers, I also started to sketch out some ideas.

I began to research coral reefs, a variety of fish, sea grasses, seashells, and of course cute baby sea turtles. More sketching took place as I started to formulate my ideas around some new glass containers I came across that I thought I would eventually house the sea creatures and plants.

After carefully planning out the different elements I would want to use in the sea “aquariums” I also started to create the color palette that I wanted to use for my paper sculptures. Beautiful magentas, purples, blues, coral, and greens seemed like a wonderful color combination that I could use to create colorful underwater scenes.

Now it was time to start paper sculpting! This is my favorite part. Stay tuned for part two - sculpting coral.

Ruby the Hummer

About two years ago we decided to hang up a hummingbird feeder in our back yard. I was so surprised how quickly a little hummingbird discovered the feeder hanging on the black metal hook on our deck. It was literally only about fifteen minutes.

I was also very surprised that the hummingbird was not at all afraid to come to the feeder when we were sitting on the deck, only a few feet away from it. I was startled the very first time the little hummingbird flew right passed me to zoom in on getting some food from the bird feeder. It made a very loud humming noise as it zipped passed my left shoulder and I knew immediately why they are called hummingbirds. I just couldn’t believe that this tiny bird wasn’t more shy about coming to the feeder for its supper when there were people sitting nearby. After the hummingbird feeder was out for a few days, there were soon three hummingbirds coming to the feeder regularly.

A friend even told me she had a feeder that she can hold in her hand and the hummingbirds will come right to her hand to feed. I don’t think I am ready for that. The thought of a bunch of little birds flying around me at close proximity, well, lets just say, just the thought of that, makes me feel very uncomfortable. But, after watching a YouTube video of someone else doing that, it does show you how amazing and outgoing these little feathery birds really are.

I would love to see one of their little nests. I tried to watch where our little hummingbirds were flying back and forth from, following them with my eyes, tracing their flight, but they would quickly get lost in the leaves of the trees. Then, just as quick as they would fly into the foliage, it seemed as though they would fly back out into the open space and back to the feeder, barely stopping to rest in between their flights.

I was thinking it would be nice to plant flowers that would help attract hummingbirds to my garden. After doing some research to discover what type of flowers hummingbirds enjoy, I learned one of their favorite flowers are morning glories. They grow on a vine and are bright and colorful, which helps to attract hummingbirds to the flowers. I have since relocated to Pennsylvania, so next spring, I plan on planting flowers that hummingbirds, butterflies and bees are attracted.  

In the meantime, I decided to paper sculpted a hummingbird out of tiny, little, individually hand cut feathers and then paint the bird in watercolor and gouache. The paper sculpted hummingbird, Ruby, is very small, measuring in at only 1.25” from head-to-tail! Morning glories sounded like a perfect match for my little hummingbird picture. The custom, wood frame measures 4.5” high x 5” wide x 2” deep.  

Can You Find? Fun for the Holidays

In the past 30-plus years of my illustration career, some of my favorite projects to work on are hidden object puzzles. I illustrated these games for Nature Friend Magazine for years before creating a line of Can You Find® hidden object greeting cards. Featuring full-color illustrations of everything from a green frog hanging in a tree to a barnyard celebration, I was always asking my family what else I could hide in these fun illustrations.

My Can You Find? greeting cards earned two awards — a Dr. Toy Award and a Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence in 2006. They became the featured illustrations for other family-friendly, playful products such as jigsaw puzzles. I have also illustrated a series of hidden object books, called “Invisibles” for Carlisle Press.

My love of playful artwork with an element of surprise is something I have carried with me into my paper sculpture designs as well. I always want to add a touch of humor or an unexpected visitor — like a ladybug passing through — to give those who look carefully a fun surprise to discover.

All this said, because I always associate the holidays with family, I am reminded of all the hidden object puzzles I have done over the years. They’ve given my own family so much joy and laughter, and I want to share that with all of you, too. So, Can You Find? all the objects hidden in these three holiday-themed illustrations?