Name: Ann Woodward

Her book: Ann and her daughter Deidre co-wrote Silhouettes, How to Cut for Fun & Money published by Profile Press.

About the book: “This book can show you how to easily cut silhouettes. The secret is to practice with my samples of silhouettes. Then you can use one of the basic silhouette styles and develop your observations skills to tailor it to the subject’s profile.

“The simple instructions that I designed are easy to follow. You don’t need years of art training in order to do this. You just need the right tools and a little practice. It’s as easy as cutting paper dolls.”

Turning a Profit: “In this book, I also give you ideas on how you can market your craft. There are very few silhouette artists in the country, and even fewer that cut freehand—without sketching the profile first. If you are able to work quickly, you can make a good profit at fairs, festivals, and bazaars.

What inspired you to write this book? “I was on vacation in the Yucatan one year when I saw a woman whip out paper and a pair of scissors and start making silhouettes. I was just fascinated by that, and I decided to learn how to do it when I got home. The thing was, I couldn’t find a teacher or any instructions on how to do it.

“I spent hours going through books at the Library of Congress, but I didn’t find any that gave instruction. I contacted the few silhouette artists I could find (only about 25 in the country at the time), but in the end, I had to teach myself.

“Over the years, people have told me I should write a book so I finally did. I first published this in 1987, and then revised it again in 2000.”

What do you most enjoy about living at Greenspring (an Erickson-built and -managed community in Springfield, Va.)? “I love not having to cook anymore, and all of the cultural advantages we have here. I can see nothing wrong with my life here!”