Getting ready for the http://www.artdolls4u.com/  online show that starts on March 17th and runs through March 20th!

Just a quick thought for a Tues...
I've just been strolling through Pinterest, getting my daily dose of Art, when struck by the idea of how much is "wrong" with some of the drawings and sketches. Having been surrounded by Art critics all my life, from the teachers who insisted we color in the lines only and the teenager who laughed at my four year old drawing of a dog with four legs; all on the same side, I shied away from Art unless I could get it "right". Never mind feelings or inner passions to put that pencil to the paper or just splash those watercolors on, there was a "right" and a "wrong" way to do it. To avoid those critiques, for too long I only attempted what I knew would be correct in a linear and predictable sense.
How empty would Pinterest be if those unbelievably talented artists had thought that way?
Let's all be a little freer with our inner artists. They want to get out and play!

Moving On

Wednesday again!
What a long strange Spring and Summer it's been so far. When I returned from the Phila. Doll and Bear Convention in May with all the good intentions in the world, I had no idea what was waiting for me. It's a good lesson on how circumstances that we think we have under control can rule our lives for as long as we let them. As the writer Isak Dinesen reflected " I think that the world was made round so that we could not see too far around the corners..."

To put it simply, the stray cat situation here had taken on a nightmare quality; too many hungry cats with a sudden explosion of kittens to find homes for, too much well meaning interference from passing "helpers" since we are right on a busy street, and my own rescued 9 month old Mooshie taking all of my time and funds to ensure that her spaying didn't get swept under the rug.

 

Then a string of three deaths involving close friends all happened within a few weeks.

Enough said about that dark period.

 

In between I had decided that a studio renovation had to take place to give me some grounding. Nothing picks me up off the floor like a good hands on mess that promises a light at the end of the tunnel.

In my usual way, I had underestimated the length of the mess and the upheaval involved, even though by anyone's standards this was a mini renovation, just a new room sized carpet, new shelving and a new coat of paint on my long worktable.

It's always interesting to find out what one has squirreled away in about ten years or so.

All of this flotsam and jetsam had to be packed and labeled, basically stripping the 13' x14' room down to the large pieces of furniture too heavy to move.

 

Thank heaven for that furniture lifter set I invested in as I was doing the bulk of this myself.

When I found a bargain on a beautiful grey piece of carpeting that measured 12' x 19', I had charged ahead in my heedless way and bought it, reasoning that I had fifteen days to pick it up and would worry later about the logistics of cutting and fitting it...

my neighbor's wonderful son who works for a billboard company got it home for me and brought it in, and there it stayed, rolled up and tempting, for the next month while I excavated and packed.

 

 

So two weeks, some bruised toes and many pulled muscles later, here we are.

 

Ready to get back to work, though I'm still moving things back in. Actually I'm trying to figure out a way NOT to... now that I have them out I find I don't really want them back!

 

I hope things are sunny where you are, and if you are looking for a distraction from whatever isn't, I recommend a small renovation. At least if things don't straighten themselves out you will have a happy little place to retreat until they do!

Until next time,

Happy Creating.

ADO Traveling Art Doll Project

An interesting new project has begun, my first venture into ADO's Traveling Art Doll cooperative!
                                                    Week 1

 I have already recieved Lulu's doll from Oregon, which I will begin work on this week.
My doll went to Constanza in Texas, and  guess pics of it will be on her blog too. This is a new experience, for me at least, and I can't wait to read more of what others are doing!

Time, time, time.

It's another long stretch of "Where in the heck have I been???"

Busy of course; with illness that dragged on, then Christmas prep and the two birthdays in my family that happen right before and right after. Also, my new "baby",

the kitten that joined us in Oct., is growing into a woman and needs to be prepped for her spaying next month. The older Mocha, Queen of all that she surveys,

has not let up on her resolve to kill the little invader, so careful maneuvering has been neccessary to keep them apart while still letting Mooshie explore her new home.


Meanwhile, I have finally got my Studio back in action and have been trying to make up for lost time.
I have mentioned before the longing for a separate space (far away from the house with all it's demands and distractions) that wouldn't have to be "tidied up" when Holiday company of more than four is expected.
I am grateful every day for my wonderful space that is so much more than many have to work with.

 

 

 But there is no question that I would love to have something like this...

 

 

Oh well, dreams are what get us up in the morning!

 

When last here, I was in the early stages of building a skeleton for Felicie, a joyous child/elf/fantasy creature that I had hoped to enter into an online competition with a Feb. 1st deadline.

She is progressing since I worked haltingly around my lack of Studio space over Christmas, but not fast enough. Also I became aware of the fact that my presence, though not "required" in the Netherlands should she place in the top three, would be encouraged. Obviously for most of us living in a depressed economy in Pa and trying to work full time as an Artist, that would be a bit beyond me.

So Felicie will progress at a slower pace and still make it to Phila. in May.

 

 

Also I am refining my sculpture for Bayan, the large Mongolian child that has been bugging me for months. Something was off, something in the temples or cheeks, but I couldn't pin it down. Turns out that if one is willing to be less miserly with the paperclay and starts fooling around with adding large lumps of it here and there, it can make a world of difference. Her ears, which some people don't put a whole lot of thought into sculpturally, were too low!

More on that next time...

 

Happy Creating Friends!

 

 

 

To Document or not to Document...

Well, we've dodged another storm; that Nor'Easter that brought so much misery to those already overburdened with the effects of Sandy didn't even brush us. Not one flake, not one drop of rain.
Not having to concentrate on weather has freed my "crafter's brain"

to race to the next project, a creature I'm envisioning in ice and blue, to be completed in time for a Winter competition.
The full blown inspiration hit, of course when I couldn't spare it one minute to even make a sketch or jot down ideas.
 I was on my way out the door to Choir rehearsal, an hour that does not allow my mind to drift into anything but the song in front of me due to our excellent director, a former High School Chorus teacher who can immediately tell from two rows away if you are not concentrating, or even if your music is on the wrong page!
So the next morning I threw myself into the concept sketch, which I hope to share next week as the pastels I need have mysteriously relocated to an unknown spot...
The skeleton has been started with a vengeance, and as usual I would like to race full speed ahead, but I am thinking a bit of sharing might be in order.
The online community was very vocal about seeing the process of one of my earlier creations, the Autumn Fairy Freya back in 2008.

Everyone's enthusiasm kept me moving through documenting each step so that she was completed in exactly two months, and if you would all like to see this again with "Felicie", please leave your comments! I need to hear from you, or it's full speed ahead at my own breakneck (or meandering) pace.

Today I'm designing the narrow little feet with their delicate bone structure, and the image I'm getting is of a creature who barely touches the ground...
not an easy one to pull off, but I'll give it a go.

So until next time, let me know if I'm going to be pulling out the camera or not!

Post Hurricane...

Finally starting to get back to normal after a week of fear, hype and preparations for the "Frankenstorm". We came through with only some lost branches off the trees, so much more fortunate than many in our area.
I know of at least one Artist from the Art Dolls Only team who has lost her studio; please keep all who have had losses in your thoughts and prayers.

Work for me has been difficult to concentrate on but also a saving grace.

I've begun the sculpt for the Artist Doll andTeddy Bear 2013 Convention.

The challenge is for Doll makers to make a Bear, and Bear Artists to make a doll.
I'm glad I have until May!

Meanwhile, my little black kitten HAD to have a "kitten in the pumpkin" picture taken.

It's corny, but I've never had a little black kitten before, and the timing is perfect! Next year she'll be too big to fit!

So until next time, stay safe (and dry)!