The Lonley Shadow

Fans of artist Clay Rice know him for the silhouettes he has cut at events locally and throughout the United States as well as at his studio. But where his previous work has been delicate detail cut in fragile paper, a new piece which graces the wall just outside the South Carolina State Museum's first-floor Lipscomb Gallery has a lot more toughness to it.

Steel toughness, that is.

The museum recently acquired "Lowcountry Sunrise," which depicts a coastal resident poling his boat through the marsh, rendered in shiny steel rather than black paper. more...

The Lonely Shadow is a children's picture book for ages 4-8. What makes this book unique are the 60 pages of illustrations that accompany the story line of a lonely shadow looking for who or what he belongs to. The illustrations are cut-work silhouettes, which are striking on both the stark white and color-wash backgrounds.

My eight-year-old enjoyed the book and said any young child would like it. The rhythmic text begs to be read aloud. Like all good storybooks, this one ends with a happy bedtime scene: the little boy and his shadow are in bed, happy to be reunited. The pictures and words are simple and sweet, perfect for young children. more...

Clay Rice follows in the steps of his grandfather, Carew Rice, as he continues the family tradition of cutting silhouettes. In a single year, Clay cuts 10,000 children's silhouettes from live sittings be they in his studio or anywhere else he might find himself. Clay has evolved the cutting of silhouettes into a fine art as exemplified by his simple but sophisticated children's picture book "The Lonely Shadow". Clay is also a singer/songwriter and that talent reveals itself in the lyrical cadence and rhythm of his text about a little shadow who just knew he had to belong to someone. In his search for where he truly belongs, children (and their parents!) will appreciate the elegance and novelty of silhouette art which so perfectly compliments this original and thoroughly 'kid friendly' tale. Entertaining and unique, "The Lonely Shadow" is very highly recommended for family, school, and community library collections.

Clay Rice will bring his furious fingers to Beaufort this week.

Gripping small scissors like the ones his famous grandfather used, Rice can snip out a keepsake silhouette portrait in mere minutes.

Sittings are lined up throughout the day Thursday, when Rice comes to the Bay Street Trading Co. in downtown Beaufort to cut portraits and sign copies of his new children's book from the Joggling Board Press, "The Lonely Shadow." more...

"The Lonely Shadow" by Clay Rice is an unusually special picture book for children ages 4-8 and the adults in their lives. The Lonely Shadow, like all the rest of us, is looking for something and someone who connects with him. He sings:

I have no you
You have no me,
you and me
we have no we,
but if I find you
and you find me,
happy we will always be. more...

A shadow searching for a friend finds a boy seeking a shadow. (4-8)