Featured Daily Sketch: Curving Silhouette, 2014

October 30, 2025 Bernadette

cut paper art of black cat — “Curving Silhouette”, cut paper, 5″ x 6″, 10/23/14 © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

Enjoying Mimi’s shape as she curled loosely on the cabinet in the warm kitchen on a cool afternoon, I envisioned this placement of her silhouette, and planned it as a scratchboard. I got to my studio to put it together and instead I did a paper cutout silhouette! Well, I’ve been wanting to try that technique too, it’s been a while since I’ve done it.

No, I didn’t “cut” my sketch onto the paper, I sketched the outline I wanted in pencil on the black paper first, then cut it freehand with an Xacto knife from that.

Can’t wait to try different colors and layers! Though I think I’m going to stay with this monochromatic or black cat theme for a while, for obvious reasons. My senses have finally been overwhelmed by all these black cats.

2025: Really, Bernadette? You just realized that in 2014 when they’d been with you, putting a spell on you, since 2007? Seven years?

But today this little cut paper sketch brings Mimi right back to me, her petite profile with her little nose, that habit of curling her toes on her hind paws while she’s feeling safe and content, her tail curled around for protection. It’s like she’s right here on the table in front of me.

I did do one other cut paper “sketch,” though it was tissue paper, in “Colorful Kitties” in 2015.

But I did end up using “Curving Silhouette” in one gift item, a trinket dish, the one that got me started with polymer clay trinket and decorative dishes.

Mimi approves!

Curving Silhouette Trinket Dish

Curving Silhouette Trinket Dish angled view.

Curving Silhouette Trinket Dish back.

I just happened to find one when I sorted through another section of my studio a few months ago and I think she’s reignited my need to make trinket dishes again.

But now that I have a couple of cutting machines that can do vinyl, paper and board of various thicknesses, fabric, I’ve been wanting to do cut paper and fabric projects, and I can see this on cut paper on a note card for sure.

Daily Sketches 2011 to 2015

I think I accomplished what I'd set out to do three years ago today, a challenge to me and entertainment and enjoyment for you: to create a quick sketch of my cats each day as a way to practice and experiment, and present the sketch on that day with no editing, no waiting, no excuses, just to do the sketch and share it.

Read more about the reason for the daily sketches in Daily Sketches: the Idea, Most Popular, Awards.

Click here to see other daily sketches.

For a gallery of the ones available for sale, visit Portraits of Animals in the “Daily Sketches” section.

"Feline Style Sampler" book of sketches and portraits.

A collection of 34 images of feline artwork

**The award-winning* Feline Style Sampler**

Now in its third printing since 2013! Daily sketches, illustrations, commissioned portraits all in a small coil-bound gift book. Click here or on the image to read more or find this book on Portraits of Animals.

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*Certificate of Excellence, Cat Writers' Association 2014 Communications Contest

Gifts featuring cats you know! Visit Portraits of Animals

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Feline Gift Items on Portraits of Animals

The original of this sketch is sold but I have prints on paper and canvas as well as various cards. Read more and purchase.

Copyright

All images and text used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission, although links to your site are more than welcome and are shared. Please ask if you are interested in using and image or story in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of an image or a product including it, check my animal and nature website Portraits of Animals to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.