My Silhouette Video

Watch my video here, and learn a little more about the history of Silhouettes and Silhouette cutting. The video is just under 3 minutes. Enjoy!

Moving into the 21st Century

So, I do a nearly dead artform from the 1700's. The tools that I use are scissors, paper and glue. It just can't get any more low tech than that! My computer skills are limited, and I consider myself lucky that I can check email and my MySpace page~ which is basically email with someone's picture attached next to it!


That being said, my New Year's resolution for 2009 is to move into the future. It may take baby steps, but I'm going to do it. Getting here on Blogspot was my first challenge to tackle. My next challenge is to be able to take credit cards, and give a much needed facelift to my stale old webpage. There is so much to do, but I am excited about facing the new year. I will post a blog (or update this one) when my new webbie is up. My wonderfully gifted web designer is working on my new page as I write this...and it looks AMAZING! There will be galleries galore, and each section will have it's own special color. I'm thrilled about what's happening lately, and can't wait for people to see the "new look" of www.paperportraits.com

Holiday Deadlines! Get 'er done...EARLY!

Please have your orders emailed to me (or post-marked) three weeks before any holiday deadline for guaranteed delivery.

Christmas deadline is December 7th.

If you do have a rush order that is dire, please go to my website and send an email inquiry to see if I am able to do it. Be prepared, in this case, to Overnight Express mail a money order ONLY (so we don't have to waste days for the check to clear), and to send some additional funds for the fellows at the USPS.

To get orders expidited more quickly, I am also working on being able to take credit cards. I will update this blog when that service is available!

Thank you!

Pricing for Special Events

I read on another person's blog that they couldn't quite get a handle on how Silhouette Artists set their pricing for events. I think they were a bit befuddled at the various range in prices. They may have made inquiries to Silhouettists across the US, possibly not considering the following important factors I will be laying out below. I thought I might address the issue here then, on my own Blogspot to help clear up some confusion.

First and foremost, I am NOT speaking for ALL Silhouettists, just me. But I do know other "Arteests" and this is how we seem calculate our fees.

1. The world is big! Where is your event taking place first off? I have to get there, and that is what takes up the most amount of time. Doing the gig is the fun part!

Please consider that since you want me there to perform, the following will be calculated into the total cost of my performance depending upon where your event takes place:


Airfare if applicable, rental car if applicable, gas, tolls, meals, and a hotel room if applicable. THEN the fee for cutting Silhouettes. Frames may also be added into the price as well if you desire. Otherwise, each Guest will receive one copy of their portrait mounted on an attractive card that it suitable for framing in a 5"x7" frame of their own choosing.

I am located in Orlando, Florida...so airfares would be calculated from Orlando International Airport (MCO). If you are within, say, a 300 mile radius of where I live, then I will most likely drive to you. Locals get a discount (Local= within a 50 mile radius of my home). Locals only have to pay my fee with no other costs added on top. This is only logical and fair.

I can generally do upwards 80 ~ 100 portraits in a four hour period. I generally only take one 5 minute break during my performance time, while other Artists may work for 45 minutes, then break for 15. So with me, 4 hours = 4 hours, not 3!

2. How many hours is your event? Most artists have a minimum amount of hours for which they perform, and this practice is normal. I usually do a 4 hour minimum, but can be flexible~ especially for local events.

Other than that, that is how we do it! For me, my tech requirements are really simple. See the photo above and you'll know what I mean. All I need is a small draped table, two chairs of the same height, and ambient light or a lamp to work by.

Here is a list of some of the favorite events I have worked:

The Four Seasons Restaurant. Manhattan, NY

Mandalay Bay Hotel, Casino and Convention Center. Las Vegas, NV.

The Venetian Hotel, Casino and Convention Center. Las Vegas, NV.

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Hollywood, FL.

Mizner Park. Boca Raton, FL.

The Breakers Hotel. West Palm Beach, FL.

Washington DC Convention Center. DC.

Grand Cypress Hotel. Orlando, FL.

Grand Cypress Equestrian Center. Orlando, FL.

Cutie Patootie Children's Botique. Memphis, TN.

Garriott Estate. Austin, TX.

Pepin's Hospitality Center. Tampa, FL.

Ruth Eckerd Hall. Tampa, FL.

Country Club of Orlando. Orlando, FL.

Ritz Carlton's Fairway Pub. Orlando, FL.

Mansion on Forsyth. Savannah, GA.

Cincinnati House. Savannah, GA.

How to Mail Order Silhouettes from a Photo

Ordering Silhouette Portraits is easy! Just follow these simple steps*:

1. Take a CLEAR, RIGHT profile photograph of each subject you wish to have done. (Stand 4 feet from subject. Get at eye level with subject. Have subject stay STILL...and NO smiles! Get the subjects' entire head and all of their hair in the photo. Take photos of each subject individually, no matter what!! If you are unsure of a photo, take a few and I will work from the best one.) You will receive THREE COPIES of your artwork!

2. Print the name of the person on the back of each photo, and place photos with your order. You can also email digital photos to me if you prefer. kathyart@earthlink.net

3. Fill out and print this form (or send it in an email with your photos attached).

Make your check or money order out to Kathryn K. Flocken.

4. Mail to: Kathryn K. Flocken P.O. Box 547812 Orlando FL 32854-78125. Receive your Silhouettes and photos back in about 2-3 weeks.

__________________________________________________

Order Form

Quantity Total

____ Single. $25 each. ________

____ Double. $40 each. ________

____ Triple. $55 each. ________

____ Quadruple. $70 each. ________

____ Frames. $12 each. ________

____ Personalization. FREE.

Subotal $___________

S&H $___________

Total $___________

Shipping Chart: $0-$10= $6.oo/ $10.01-$25.00=$8.00/ $25.01-$40.00=$10.00/ $40.01-$55.00=$12.00/ $55.01-$70.00=$14.00/ $70.01-$250.00=$15.00
Please ship to:

Name:___________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________

Phone:__________________________________________

Email___________________________________________

Update: You can also go to http://www.paperportraits.com/ to pay by credit card.

Silhouettes by Kathryn

My name is Kathryn Flocken and I am a professional Silhouette Artist. I have been making hand-cut Silhouette portraits since 1989, and have worked throughout Central Florida's major theme parks. I travel all over the country cutting Silhouettes at special events, and have also been featured cutting Silhouettes on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood. It would be my pleasure to make custom made Silhouette portraits of you, your children, and even your pets!

Visit my Website: http://www.paperportraits.com/
Silhouette Artist Kathryn Flocken

Orlando, Florida