Silhouette Artist

Sunday, Oct. 18th, 2015, 11-4:00

Renowned silhouette artist, Kerry Cook, returns to the Toy Garden! Featured in  "May Must List" for Seattle Magazine, and recently seen on TV on King 5 Evening Magazine, master silhouette artist Kerry Cook is returning to Bellingham Oct. 18th. The artist will hand-cut finely detailed profile portraits at Fairhaven Toy Garden, Sunday, Oct 18th, from 11-4:00.  Fewer than 10 quality artists nationwide still practice the art of true silhouette likenesses.  Kerry, who studied under local area profilist Flo Konecke, has been cutting silhouettes for 40 years.  Appointments now being taken at Fairhaven Toy Garden, (360) 714-8552. The cost is $25.00 for the original silhouette, and $10.00 for each additional one cut at the same time. A $20.00 non-refundable deposit will be required for an appointment.

While most silhouettists today do a "caricature-style" cut developed for use in theme parks, Kerry Cook prefers to create miniature works of art with a style and flourish reminiscent of the 1920's and 30's -- silhouettes' heyday.  She cuts freehand, directly from paper, without any preliminary drawing, tracing, or projecting. Each silhouette portrait takes just minutes to create. Kerry's style still shows the influence of her early teacher, Flo Konecke of Lummi Island.  Long-time Bellingham residents may remember Flo, who for many years delighted Bellingham families with her art.  Flo Konecke silhouettes still grace the walls of many area homes. Kerry got her start in the early 70's, at the young age of 10, snipping silhouettes from the side of her mother's portrait booth in art fairs and county fairs around the state.  'I guess I was having too much fun at the fairs,' Kerry explains with a smile.  'Maybe I was even getting in a bit of trouble.  So my dad said, "We've' got to find a way to keep this kid busy."'  With guidance from veteran artist Flo Konecke, he set Kerry up to do silhouettes next to her mother's portraits.  Discovering a lifelong passion for the art, Kerry got good likenesses even on her first day.  When her talent and enthusiasm for silhouettes became clear, her father took her to Flo Konecke's Lummi Island home for private lessons.  In those days Kerry was one of 3 silhouette artists in Washington.  Now only a few remain nationwide.

Today, silhouettes by Kerry Cook are a tradition in the Seattle area, where she's snipped tens of thousands of profiles of children.  She also enjoys the challenge of creating specialty costume silhouettes in diverse venues including period costume and Steampunk events.  She is the daughter of Seattle portrait artist Donna Cook, and Gordon Cook, who did wood carving and ornamental wrought iron. Kerry has lived in several locations overseas, and cut silhouettes all over the world, from Guam and the Philippines to Spain, England, and the heart of Anatolia.

For more information check out the artist's website at www.PaperShadows.com, or call Fairhaven Toy Garden, (360) 714-8552, for an appointment.

Artist information:
Kerry Cook, Paper Shadows
Bellevue, Washington
Phone:  425 746 4141 
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  
www.PaperShadows.com