This page includes and artist statement, background information, and contact resources. Join Silhouettes By Hand on Facebook for fun tidbits and frequent updates.

Artist Statement:

My name is Lauren Muney. I cut silhouettes freehand with scissors, in the traditional portrait style made especially popular 1760-1860, yet extending into the 21st century as well. I do not draw these portraits before cutting: the scissors do the “drawing”, committing the cuts immediately without possibility of erasure. My main goal is to create a memorable experience for the sitter, whether young or old, while creating a keepsake portrait – reminding the guests or visitor of the event, facility, or location-experience.

Profile portraits are a classic style with a long history. They became especially popular because the portraits were passed down through families and also seen museums.

I have been involved in corporate and other special events for over 30 years as a producer and entertainer. I use this experience to create silhouettes as an elegant offering to any business or social setting with guests, clients, or visitors.

My favorite events to participate are living-history festival events and museums. My specialty is to dress in the historical time period, have period supplies, and tell little details of the history while working, thus completing the visitors’ feeling of their participation in a traditional art.

Parents are excited and adoring of these silhouettes portraits. They are thrilled to have traditional portraits of their children for their scrapbooks and walls. They are charmed by the traditional feel of these silhouettes, thus capturing their children forever in a beautiful style for years to come. They often have silhouettes done by mail-order or at a retail store event.

Background and Information:

Lauren Muney has been a professional artist, entertainer, producer, and consultant for over 30 years. She began her interest in cutting silhouettes after studying the entertainments of historical time periods. She fell in love with silhouettes, the art of silhouette cutting, and its place in history. She is currently located in the Baltimore, Maryland / Washington DC region, yet she will travel to other states, regions, or countries to serve events. ”Have scissors, will travel”.

(That’s Lauren at left, cutting a silhouette portrait. She’s not the one with the beard.)

Lauren spent years seeking books and supplies for starting this antique art. There are few silhouette artists throughout the world; Lauren uses the traditional style of the 18th and 19th century scissors artists yet with her own artistic style, thanks to her vast experience as an artist, designer, and interactive entertainer.

Silhouette portraiture can be a fascinating experience. It’s not just having the silhouette itself: it’s being part of the creation.  Silhouettes make wonderful gifts at holiday times or anytime, yet having a portrait artist at an event provides constant interest and enthusiasm.

She offers silhouettes for all special events and themes. She has appeared at:

• corporate events and parties
• arts centers
• museums, and historic facilities
• fairs and festivals
• social events and country clubs
• holiday and festive events
• retail establishments
• She also presents a lecture program called, “Your Face…A History”.

Contact:

Contact Lauren (via email) for your next social, professional, corporate, museum, or festival event, or to send your photos for a portrait from the peace of your own home.
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Member:
Association for Living History, Farm, and Agricultural Museums, ALHFAM
American Association for State and Local History, AASLH