"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.

Miniature Art Exhibition

The Miniature Art Society of Florida is having its 2025 International Miniature Art Show Exhibition! The art is available for purchase on line at MASF Miniature Online Show or in person at the Gallery at Creative Pinellas in Largo, Florida, The show will run from January 19 through February 9, 2025.

I entered a total of six of my paper sculptures in the show.

I am thrilled and honored to announce that my paper sculpture titled, "Please Don't Bug Me!" won first place for the Sculpture and Scrimshaw Award! This piece also sold on the first day! To read more about this piece, check out my blog "Please Don't Bug Me!"

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

As an artist, there's a certain thrill in watching an idea unfold into a tangible masterpiece. This excitement was palpable in my latest creation, "Majestic Peacock Jewel." This artwork stands as a testament to the intricate and mesmerizing beauty of nature—particularly, of course, the peacocks that strut proudly in a garden I visited last year. Of course, I have seen many peacocks at zoos, but there was one in particular that I will call “Henry” for this article. He had so much character, I knew it was time for me to make another paper-sculpted peacock.

At the garden, there are many gorgeous peacocks walking freely around the grounds—both male and female. One peacock, Henry, seemed to own the place and must have felt as though he was the king of the park. During certain times of the year, peacocks may become a bit more aggressive and will sometimes even chase people…I may know a little something about that too!

I forgot how tall the peacocks were when they have their tail feathers raised until I saw them once again in person. I think they are probably about 5 feet tall, which is huge, but beautiful when they display their fanciful feathers. They will proudly do this as soon as he spots one of the many peahens on the property.

Now, those poor peahens are shockingly unattractive in comparison. You can’t help but feel sorry for them. No greenish jade-colored tail feathers for them, just the drab, dark gray short feathers. I mean, I get it and understand that she needs to be a bit drab in color because it will help her protect her eggs and the baby peachicks and all. But she is really so different looking than the male peacocks. Perhaps she is still the one with all the power!?

Even during our lunch at the gardens, many male peacocks came up to the outdoor patio, ready to put on a show for all the guests—flaunting their long jade and green tail feathers, dancing around in circles to show off to the peahens, and shaking and rattling their tail feathers. It is quite the show, as the peacocks are parading all around and posing for the latest photo shoot. It was so fun to watch them. I can’t even begin to tell you how thankful I was that we were able to eat inside the café. While I love watching these birds, I love the safe, calm environment of the indoor café. But many people were perfectly comfortable eating outside with the large, inquisitive birds that are not shy at all around people!

That is a little bit of the backstory to the inspiration of “Majestic Peacock Jewel.” Watching the peacocks and the peahens inspired me to want to create a new peacock picture out of paper and paint.

Peacocks have so many different textures and feathers on their bodies. I wanted to show the different types in my 3D paper sculpture peacock, concentrating on a portion of his body—mainly his head, neck, and just a small portion of the tail feathers.

I wanted to give him an air of importance and display some of his regal attitude, which is why I added the gold swirls in the background. I used vibrant orangish golden yellows in the background, too, to brighten and contrast against the vibrant dark blue of the peacock’s head.

At first glance, this piece captivates with its lifelike portrayal of a peacock, boasting a vibrant blue body and an elaborate, colorful tail. Every eyespot within the tail feathers has been meticulously hand-painted, adding a spectrum of color that dances within the frame. Surrounding the peacock, a gradient of warm hues shifts from fiery oranges to verdant greens, embellished with swirling patterns and leafy details. This isn’t just a backdrop; it's a textured sea that breathes additional life and depth into the scene.

The medium used for "Majestic Peacock Jewel" is what makes it truly unique. This isn’t just a painted image; it is a composition of hand-cut paper and paint artfully combined to create a three-dimensional effect. Each feather was individually crafted, hand-painted, and cut with precision. This labor-intensive process was a labor of love—one that demanded patience and attention to the tiniest of details.

Crafting this piece allowed me to blend elements of realism with the elegance of decorative art, producing a captivating, layered appearance. The framed result not only highlights the dimensional aspect of the work but also invites viewers to step closer, to explore the textures and the depth that paper and paint can achieve together.

"Majestic Peacock Jewel" is more than just an artwork; it's a vibrant celebration of the peacock's beauty and my homage to the enchanting gardens that first inspired this journey.

This is one of my largest pieces, measuring in at 9.75” x 13” in a 15” x 12” shadowbox frame. $2850.00 You can view “Majestic Peacock Jewel” in person or online at Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head, NC.

Sandcastle Surprise - Paper Sculpture by Melinda

The paper sculpture “Sandcastle Surprise” is a nod to the summer fun at the beach. Because every castle needs a horse, what better creature to highlight inside this under-the-sea aquarium than a seahorse.

I wanted to draw attention to this fish, to show off his unusual shape, prehensile tail and large eyes. I also wanted to showcase this special paper sculpture adding light to emphasize a day at the beach. 

 Hopefully this paper sculpture will bring you a smile and remind you of the simple pleasures in life, such as building sandcastles at the beach.

“Sandcastle Surprise” is created from acid-free and archival papers and painted in watercolor and gouache. This sculpture can set on a tabletop, or it can be displayed with the rotating, lighted base as shown here. The electric base changes colors or can be set to stay on one solid color such as red, white, or blue.

 The paper sculpted base with glass measures 4” in dia. x 7.5“ high.

 The rotating base is 4.5” in diameter x 1“ high.                                                                            $950.00

 “Sandcastle Surprise” is available for purchase - Click the Link to my SHOP.

 “Sandcastle Surprise”