Mar 06, 2009

G.Willikers! Welcomes Silhouette Artist Clay Rice

Silhouette: Clay Rice     G.Willikers! Toy Shop is thrilled to welcome nationally known silhouette artist Clay Rice to Portsmouth on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22nd.  Mr. Rice will be creating heirloom silhouettes of your child or family from 10 - 6pm by appointment only.

The Lonely Shadow

The Lonely Shadow is the story of a shadow in search of someone who connects with him.  A story of friendship and discovery, Mr. Rice's first book is beautifully illustrated in the style that has made him one of the premier artists in his field, the silhouette. SEE VIDEO

With a flash of scissors Clay Rice is able to capture a silhouette portrait in a matter of moments. It is quite literally, performance art. Clay follows the contours of his subject as if the movement of his eyes is connected to his hands. In about a minute a featureless sheet of paper takes on the uniqueness of the individual it represents. Clay truly provides a gift of rare artistry in an uncommon craft.

Before Photography      A Brief History of the Silhouette: A silhouette is an outline image (usually a profile portrait) in solid flat colour, most commonly in black against a white background.  The term derives from Etienne de Silhouette (1706-67), French Minister of Finance under Louis XV, who cut shadow portraits as a hobby.  Until the end of the 18th century silhouette portraits were more commonly known in Britain as ‘profiles’ or ‘shades’.  This form of portraiture, being relatively quick and inexpensive to produce, was very popular from the 1750s to the 1850s, when it was overtaken by photography.

We hope you'll join us on April 22nd ( as it also happens to be our 31st anniversary ) and create a lasting memory of your child.  Just in time for Mother's Day & Father's Day.  Packages are available.  Please call G.Willikers! Toy Shop at (603) 436-7746 to book your reservation and to get more info.  See you on Market Street!