Bear Art

I was inspired to create this cinnamon bear after a visit to Alaska. I saw some bears in the distance at various places. I thought the cinnamon bears were interesting in color. It was the first time I heard of this type of bear and I liked the color of their coat. I imagined that the bear would like to bring their fresh catch of salmon home so they could have a little midnight snack lat the end of their day. That’s where the inspiration for this paper sculpture came from and my idea behind this piece.

This bear’s furry coat is made from very thin, hand-cut, pieces of paper. It is a very slow, tedious process to create his furry coat, but it is also rewarding to see the bear come to life. I like the challenge of creating paper sculptures that are realistic, but also with a whimsical flair. “Snack Time” is available for purchase.

#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.

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!"

"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.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird Visits A Morning Glory Garden

Welcome to Hummingbird’s Paradise, my latest artistic endeavor! Picture this: a kaleidoscope of colors where nature's tiny acrobat, the hummingbird, flits and dances amidst a riotous assembly of morning glory blooms. This vibrant artwork is an invitation to pause, breathe, and revel in the wonder of the natural world.

Now, let's talk about the dazzling diva of this piece—the hummingbird. With its iridescent feathers flashing shades of green and blue, and a splash of red trimming its head and throat, this critter isn’t just any bird; it’s nature’s very own flying gem! The flashy feathers almost sparkle, promising to catch your eye wherever you display this slice of paradise.

And those flowers? They're not just mere blooms; they are the essence of joy personified in petals. With shades ranging from blushing pinks to regal purples, each flower boasts an intricate design topped with sunburst yellow centers. The lifelike, textured green leaves weave a tapestry of verdant serenity around the blossoms, grounding the scene with just the right amount of earthy calm.

The inspiration for this lively tableau comes from the seemingly magical moments when nature and art collide. There’s something uniquely fulfilling in capturing a fleeting moment—like the split-second twinkle of a hummingbird’s iridescent coat shining in the sunlight. By bottling up that magic on canvas, I hope to offer a bit of paradise that viewers can experience and revisit anytime.

Creating Hummingbird’s Paradise wasn't just an exercise in painting; it was an adventure in exploration. Embarking on this creative journey meant paying meticulous attention to each flicker of the bird's wings and the delicate curl of every petal. As I worked, the piece demanded a playful balance between the wild spontaneity of nature and the disciplined structure of detailed artwork. It was art meeting nature, and, dare I say, they shook hands with a wink and a promise.

So, take a moment to get lost in Hummingbird’s Paradise. Let your imagination wander through the vibrant hues and intricate details—and who knows? Maybe you'll catch a tiny glimpse of paradise, too! To purchase “Hummingbird’s Paradise, head over to my Shop for all the details.

7 Juried Gallery Shows in 2024

It is a very busy fall season for me. I have seven juried gallery shows going on this season.

1.) Light and Shadow

Guild of American Papercutters (GAP), is having a member only show at John O’Lague Galleria in Hayward, CA.

Two of my paper sculptures are featured in this show.

“Floating Free”

“Waiting for Dawn”

Oct 28,2024 to January 8, 2025

2.) Council for the Arts in Chambersburg, PA is having its 40th Annual Miniature Juried Exhibition. 

Nov 1, 2024 - Dec. 21, 2024

1.)   “Desert Beauty” – Image size measures - 2 ½” x 2 ½”

2.)   “It's Party Time” – Image size is 1 ¾” x 1 ¾”  

3.)   “Decadent Rose” -  Image size measures  1 ¾” x 1¾”  

3.) Five of my paper sculptures are a part of the 34th Annual Mon Dak Heritage Center Miniature Art Show in Sidney,MT! Each piece of art must be 5” x 7” or smaller. It’s so fun to see a miniature art show. There are always so many great pieces of art to choose from in a variety of mediums, styles and subject matters. Check out the show in person if you happen to be in the Sydney, MT area. The miniature show will be there til January 11th, 2025. 

Titles of my paper sculptures in the show:

1.)  “Snack Time”

2.) “Prickly Path Through the Prickly Pear”

3.) “Gentle Sitter Among Wildflowers”

4.) “Let the Fun Begin”

5.) “Wisteria’s Winged Waltz”

4.) Parklane Gallery Winter Show of Small Works will be held November 8, 2024 til January 3, 2025. Melinda Fabian will have three framed paper sculpture illustrations in the show. A giraffe, a chipmunk and a lizard!

“Hey! What’s Up?”

“Autumn’s Hidden Treasures”

“A Chipmunk’s Delightful Adventure”

5.)  Exhibit B Gallery in Souderton, PA will hold its annual Winter Group Show. I am thrilled to announce that I will have three of my pieces for sale at the show. You can view the art at the gallery in person or online.

Nov 15 - Jan 2

1. “Cuddles”

2. “Oceans Kaleidoscope A Seahorse Tale”

3. “Whispered Moments in the Meadow”

6.)   Nov 16 - January 2,2025 “Carryout Dessert" is a paper sculpture that will be a part of the BananaRama Exhibition at Banko Gallery in Bethlehem, PA.

7.). Three of my miniature paper sculptures will be on exhibit at MPSGS 91st Miniature art show - held at the Mansion at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD. You can view the show online or in person.

“Organizing My Chaos”

“Feels Good to Be Back”

“Reach For the Sky”

Fun Leaf Collecting Activity for Kids — Great Reference for Artists

Looking for a fun activity that you can do with your children or grandchildren? You can enjoy an afternoon discovering nature and help them with their writing and researching skills! Of course, there will have to be some art involved too.

When I was researching and planning out my next 3D paper sculpture, I started to gather up my reference materials. As soon as I pulled out my old scrapbook, it brought back a lot of fun memories.

When my children were young, we enjoyed collecting leaves and acorns that were plentiful in our backyard. We would comment about the shape and the colors of the leaves. We especially enjoyed looking for leaves in the fall season — trying to find the best leaf possible. Sometimes the kids would hunt for the most colorful red, yellow or orange leaf, and another time they would hunt for who could find the largest or the smallest leaf.

When we would go back in the house, I would get out the scrapbook and my many tree and leaf reference books. My children would flip through the pages of the books to identify which leaf they found. We had quite a few different types of oak trees and maple trees to identify. Along with sassafras, sourwood and even a big tulip leaf. I can’t believe how big those leaves grow – it takes up almost the entire page in the scrapbook.

After we would all agree we identified the leaf correctly, we would carefully tape the leaf inside the scrapbook, making sure it stayed flat. Then we would take turns writing the name of the leaf on the page so we could remember the name and identify the leaves. Of course, we would also get out our pencils and crayons and trace or draw a few leaves too. After all, my fridge always seemed to need a new piece of art!

It was always such a good activity I enjoyed playing with my children. We got to “play” outside, exploring for a bit, and then go inside, and continue onto another project that all related to the environment and leaf collecting. Little did they know, I kept that scrapbook all these years and the leaves still look good!

I love seeing the pages where my children printed the names of the leaves when they were beginning to learn how to print and write their letters. Of course, those are my favorite pages! The other thing they didn’t know or realize at the time is the leaf collecting project became a wonderful scrapbook filled with reference material in it for me to refer back to time and time again, whenever I need to draw or paint a leaf. I think it is amazing how good all these leaves still look after all these years. And I still refer back to it!

Where did I come up with this idea? My mom of course! We used to flatten flowers or leaves inside a big heavy book, like an old encyclopedia, squishing the plant between two sheets of wax paper. We would check on it a few weeks later after it had time to dry. Every once in a while, you’d forget that you “hid” a flower inside a book, and years later, flipping through a book, a flower or leaf might fall out, which of course would always make us laugh. While we didn’t identify them and create one big scrapbook, my mom’s idea was definitely passed down to me.

Well, I hope this gives you some more ideas of things to do with your children or grandchildren. It is a very fun way to enjoy and learn about nature and our environment, too!

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.

Seaside Art Gallery's Miniature Art Show

I am honored to announce that I have three paper sculptures in Seaside Art Gallery’s 33rd International Miniature Art Show. The show will be held May 4 - June 1, 2024. On May 25th, there will be an awards reception from 6pm - 8 pm. The miniature show has lots of wonderful art that you can check out online or in person at Seaside Art Gallery The gallery is located in 2716 Virginia Dare Trail in Nags Head, NC 27959.

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.

Part Three - Under the Sea Plants

Sea-grass, Sea plants, Seaweed…

The next items I started to make for my under the sea themed aquariums, were sea plants, sea-grass, and seaweed. Some of the grasses are textured,

Textured sea grass made from hand cut paper and paint.

some are cut out of flat papers, some are cut and then twisted into different fern-like shapes to form the sea plants. Some of the plants are painted in light lime green colors, some are dark greens, some of the grasses are dark greenish blues, and some plants are very colorful and flexible.

I made a variety of plants, many are realistic and others are imaginary. After all, who really knows for sure what types of things are growing in our ocean worlds. (Did you notice the little blue crab crawled into the photo? More about this little critter later on.

Part Two - Under the Sea Paper Sculpture Series

Bright, Vibrant Colored Coral

In my previous post I mentioned I wanted to start to start paper sculpting a new series with an under-the-sea theme. Over the next several weeks, I will take you through the process I went through to come up with these new sculptures. I’ll show you some of the behind the scenes photos and some of the details of my work.

Colorful Coral

Hand Cut Paper and Paint

Last week, I mentioned I started making the colorful, textured coral out of painted paper. I started making the coral. I wanted it to look textured and colorful. Using finely hand cut pieces of paper, glue and paint, I made many pieces of coral in all different colors. I had to hang the coral up so it could dry. If I would have laid it down flat, it would not have kept the three-dimensional shape that I wanted each coral stalk to have.

I was very pleased with my color choices and the different shapes of the coral. Next, will be step three — onto the next piece — sea grass, sea plants and seaweed.

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.  

Giving My Grandfather's Sprinkling Can New Life

What do you see when you look at this photo? An old, tired rusty sprinkling can that has seen better days? A sprinkling can that should be tossed in the trash? An antique? Character?

This old sprinkling can has moved with me many times to different locations — to different states and from house to house. I keep thinking that one of these days, I am going to plant some flowers in it and it would make a pretty neat-looking planter inside my house. Or at least that is my excuse for not throwing it out. 

The real reason I’ve kept it all these years is that when I look at that sprinkling can, I see a sprinkling can with a story behind it. Let me explain. This isn’t just any old sprinkling can. It was my grandfather’s, so when I look at it, my first thought is of him.

My grandfather was a kind person that I looked up to and looked forward to seeing every day. He took great pride in owning his own home and caring for his home and the people he loved. He was very meticulous about his lawn. The grass was always mowed to a perfect height; the sidewalks were edged -- no grass would dare grow past its boundary lines into the sidewalks and certainly no grass would grow between the sidewalk cracks.

He would fill up this sprinkling can from the outside faucet or sometimes use the garden hose to fill it up with water. He would water the beautiful flowers lining the patio — impatients or geraniums in the planters that set on the cement floor of the large patio and beautiful hanging baskets of impatients or begonia flowers surrounding the patio where we would sit outside during the summer months on the metal swings and listen to my grandparents talk about their day or about their family.

It may sound silly, having that entire story from just one old sprinkling can. But I think we all have memories that can be triggered from just looking at a small item from the past. Maybe it is an old piece of jewelry, your grandmother’s rolling pin or a serving dish that came out every holiday. You aren’t keeping that item because of the physical item. You are most likely keeping it because it reminds you of your loved one and fond memories.

I decided I wanted to make this antique sprinkling can a centerpiece for a paper sculpture, filing it with a bouquet of beautiful flowers, similar to the idea I have in mind for using it as a planter for house plants. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at making a paper sculpture.

First,  I bought a potted red flower that just happened to be planted in a red sprinkling can, which I thought was a funny coincidence. I also picked up some gardening gloves and a couple of gardening tools. I arranged the items in a variety of different set-ups and  took lots of reference photos with Pappy’s old green sprinkling can setting behind the other props. I shot the photos from different directions and from different angles.

Next, I was ready to get to work on this 3D paper sculpture. OK, not so fast! I needed more flowers! Yes, it is true, I never turn down an excuse to buy more flowers. But really, I needed to add more color to this sprinkling can picture. So, off to the store I went once again, searching for a variety of flowers to fill up my sprinkling can. Once I got them home, I took more reference photos.

As is usually the case with art, as you start working on your design, it evolves during the process, and that was the case here. I originally thought I would show the sprinkling can with one potted plant inside it, but after searching for different types of flowers — they are so beautiful and loved the colors — I decided to change it from a single potted plant to a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers filling up the sprinkling can.

I did a quick little watercolor sketch of the bouquet of flowers inside the sprinkling can and now the real fun begins! I get to start the paper sculpture part.

My 3D paper sculptures begin as white paper that is painted in watercolor and gouache. I started working on different elements that would be included in the final design, like the sprinkling can, gloves and spade. In the photos below, the pieces are setting on the wood base that the items will eventually be attached to. There is a glass dome that goes overtop of the sculpture to protect it.

Here are some in progress photos to give you an idea of what the little objects looked like in the beginning before they got painted. As you can see, I already painted a light shade of green onto the sprinkling can. The sprinkling can was difficult to construct out of just paper, especially the spout. On the one photo, I included an old penny sitting on the left side of the wood base to give you an idea of the scale of the piece.

Each little flower petal was cut out and painted. Even the grass was cut by hand. In the final piece, I wasn’t able to fit the little trowel onto the wood base and cover the final design with the glass dome. Instead, I drew up a couple of seed packets and added them into the final sculpture.

I also wanted to add a little buzzing bee to the piece. I like that it is not the first thing you will notice when you look at this piece and you have to find it among the flowers, just like in real life. Because of the bee, I thought it would be appropriate to title this paper sculpture, “Busy As a Bee.” I liked the play on words.