Sleetwealth

Colorless World

2011-02-22T16:21:00.000-08:00

Is the title of my new sculpture.She is taking longer than I thought. She has no hair or soft elements. I even sculpted her eyelashes and a small braid in back. She wears a full black clay suit with gothic incised patterns, embedded vintage ink stained rhinestones and an aged ivory Lorraine cross emblem in front.
I really love her expression and this style. The framing effect of the costume clay versus the painted skin colored clay. Id really like a buffed gloss finish to the black and then with some corrosion and aging effects on the surface.

I think she still needs gloss on lips and around eyes. I dont know if I should paint her eyebrows black. Maybe soft brows make her eyes pop...What do you think? :) I feel really good about my work this year. Really stoked about some really special ideas I have.

Hard Candy

2011-01-30T20:59:00.000-08:00

1st day of my bust. no inkling whats coming except that I wanted a lollipop in her mouth.

2nd day of working on my bust. Shes really turning out to be a cutie! Today it popped into my mind to make her theme "artifical sweetner" After hearing the No Doubt song of the same title. This is because I feel split in two. I often have to sweeten my works to make it saleable. Much more with my fairy work than now but, being a doll artist part of it is making something appealing, pretty and sweet for others,but I also have a very dark surreal side.Thats not always easy to stick with and feel loved doing. its more like sticking your neck out! I take a lot of joy in my dark surrealistic play but, its tempered a sort of balance I suppose of beauty and danger.

3rd day: I worked on making her appear a touch older. More like a preteen. I juggled a few sweetner related names in my mind. Stevia, Saccharine,Faux Sugar, Splenda. Finally I decided "Hard Candy" was a nice compromise. It goes with her biting the jolly rancher so to speak..,but also the metaphor nuances Im fussy about.

Today was hoping to have her in that oven and painted ,but I spent most of the day smoothing and pecking around the eyes to get just the right amount of expression. Added ears and more work to her shoulders and back. A bit of pastel on her lips and cheek livens her up.

Boycott Dollfair!

2011-01-05T14:27:00.000-08:00

Sticky wickets children! Another rant for the new year! Im posting to warn BJD artists and doll collectors to avoid Catrina Sanders and her company like plague.
Dont buy Briar from her as I will not see any of the money.And you will be gambling on to getting your doll.
I have a new caster and we are discussing casting elf ear Neo Briar. Hopefully I can offer that to you later this year.

In Aug 2009 I sent a master Briar (elf ear version) to Catrina Sanders. It was never molded nor was it returned to me. I was told that the company was relocating , then that there was difficultly matching new resin. Things never went great with the company.
Every couple of months Id write did anything sell? Oh yes some things sold... I was never notified for some reason when anything sold. Sometimes Id ask for a check to be cut and more weeks would go by before Id query again and would get some excuse or lameass remark like .. you wanted it now? UUUhhhh YES! Along with excuses like I broke my wrist, secretary is out sick or Ill cut a check after the dolls come back from the face up artist.

You might remember my other post about Briar at IDEX and how I had lined up talented and well known BJD costumer Vallerie Zeitler to dress Briar but, I was cut out of the loop and she was instead dressed in hideous last minute make do gunny sack looking things.

I was never sent a doll to check before final casting. I sent Briar unfinished I had become sick while making her and was told to just send her as is. Later I saw that the hands and headcap were left terrible and it was never addressed by Catrina. It was carried by me that my doll was imperfect.

You can read online the trouble Bimong and Rachelle known as Lilycat had with her.

from what I hear Batchix has also had difficulties. If you also had some problems feel free to post here your links and information.

Interview at Eclectix etc

2010-12-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

"Secret of Plum" last doll of 2010

Ive been busy with secret projects and sooo you might have noticed few blog postings lately. I am having a BJD cast that hasnt been seen yet.. be patient yall! I hope to have limited edition busts available soon in a 250-300 price range.

If you want to read some whatnot about me.I got a really nice interview and feature at Eclectix.com

The sculpt Kush: Gold ,Iron and blood featured in the show Nightmare before Christmas"
Im so honored that she is also owned by photographer and art film maker John Santerineross. I hope to do some collaboration with John. Perhaps a doll he uses in one his shoots. its a grittier venue for me but, I am interested in photos of figures and dolls as an art form unto itself.

John sent me 2 beautiful signed books! "Dream" and "Fruit of a secret god" Romantic,challenging, gritty,iconoclastic nudes. Hes a master of this edgy style that has influenced many art styles and photos. I had another piece in mind black fountain shrine with strange goddess,but Kush ended up being a good match! I guess I will have to re visit the previous idea. I think it was a good rich soil for creation. It reminded me of an OTR" "Temple of the vampires"! A 1940s broadcast. One of my favorites. Tropical, exotic, ancient and fetid with alluring evils. heehee

I also got a small photo published in the Christmas issue of "dolls" magazine within an article about Kat Soto and her fabulous work. Cant seem to find a thumbnail of the cover. let me know if you see a jpg! My bust Leacothea got in and its the first time for my OOAK sculpture in a magazine.

New York Comic con2010 Custom Gordo show

2010-10-13T13:35:00.000-07:00

Im delighted!
My customized Gordo "Flying Yeti" of the Flying Yeti Brigade showed at The "my plastic heart" booth at comic con and sold right away!! I was a bit worried this was my first time tricking out a designer toy,but it was so fun and different than what Im used to. Lots of Dremel work, and some fitting of parts, big glass eyes, some epoxy clay sculpting of claws and twisty horns and wings.
This blank Gordo came to me care of Brent Nolasco Very talented customizer whos makes his own toys too.

Anyway I have some more wacky toys to play with so, well see what develops.

Syncronicity

2010-09-29T13:11:00.001-07:00

I havent been blogging lately cause things have been happening too fast! For a while now Ive been creeping back into the desire to paint. Not too activly pursuing but, feeling old wounds had healed and I was interested again. One small step I gessoed a wood panel.
While on FB I discovered the art Of Dino Valls and saw such a kinship in our vision... only his of course is flat out masterly! maybe an echo of what I could be. I felt even more inspired to paint again. I even read up on his medium egg tempera.

Not liking the acrylic gesso finish of my wood panel I began again to read about what was needed to make traditional gesso or gofun. I bought the whiting and calcium carbonate and read about how you must heat rabbit glue..sounded nasty. I hesitated to buy that. Was it really that important to make my own? Dont I have enough on my plate?
Well , I got a sweet message from a stranger through Esty. My work was admired and did I need some supplies?
I thought this was odd. Well I got to talking with this person,Annie and she asked me if I knew what black oil was.. I didnt. I found she is an oil painter and uses traditional methods to achieve luminous glazes. Grinding her own paint, painting on wood grounds and had also been researching gesso and gofun. Annie sent me rabbit glue she happens to have,piments and medium and promised to teach me Maroger's methods she learned from her husband who learned directly from Maroger.

Im very honored to be a sort of descendant of this knowledge! Marogers hands touched and restored these old master paintings and saw with his own eyes what Ive only seen in photos.
Mixing the pigment the smell of linseed oil was like an old friend gone a long time. Im looking forward to seeing what I can do different now.

Up above is "Secret of Plum" a WIP. Im planing on trying to paint her with these old paints as well. Shes an experimental piece.

Matilda & Scarlet

2010-08-01T15:55:00.000-07:00

Heres my girls Matilda and Scarlet together. Its so rare that I have two kids together I had to take this chance to show them snugglin:D Im really fond of these two and proud of myself churning away to get things done for a change! Im still at work on Camille and a new one... maybe a boy this time. Matilda gets a tiny real acorn in her nook too. Not shown.

Matilda has been adopted by a new mom. So, the lil dears have to be seperated but, I get to hang on to Scarlet a bit longer ^-^ I got my pink leather,but oy ve! its not patented so ,researching what you apply on leather to get the patented look!

OMGoddess I am in Luv!

2010-07-14T12:25:00.000-07:00

Set the pigeons loose!Sound the trumpet's! At last the ulimate love my my life has walzed in. This is what Ive been searching for! I have been studying Polish and French Monstrance, I have been oogleing metallic vestment laces. I have been sculpting dear child martyrs with holes in their chests containing relics and I have petted the memory of my teenaged admiration for the bust of King Charlemagne!
this heavenly relequary bust is via Morbid Anatomy! I take it as blessing Woot!

Im finishishing things up. Scarlet is nearly ready and Ive decided not to included the body this time. Ahhhhh rats! Buuut, it will happen truly. Ive sold my book and used that to bid on pink lambskin. I see you lamb=( My body to grow the grasses that your children's children eat.As soon as I can I will replace with reclaimed leather.

This is a closeup of Scarlet's unusual birthmark. I dyed some nasty greenish blond hair I had into a brown to use for scarlet,but it still seems the wrong tone for her.
I thought you might like to see her nitch has a diamond studded door this time and can be opened easily on a hinge to reveal the content. A faux baby tooth.
Scarlet was a child born blind and with a unusual birthmark and showed unusual talents. A kind child, wise beyond her years.

Camille

2010-07-12T13:04:00.001-07:00

Dear starlings! I am presently working on 3 child busts,but none of them are finishing up as quickly as Id like or need! I await some exquisite reliquary pendants from Aus that Im dying to use!!! Im further exploring the insides of my dolls poor flayed chests and need windows and ways to hold the hollow clay space open.
Camile is so sweet! I love her,but who knows what the muse has in store for her and me! Im thinking a cameo choker and of sepia tones for her old fashioned hazel eyed look,but I like it if each of my girls has a surprise dark streak in their sweetness.

I am nearly out of mohair, nearly out of clay, one of them got moonies I had to repair and Id so love to hold her back to be molded for a limited edition in resin. I need to sell one to afford the leather for bodies I want to begin making.delays,delays, le sigh. In the mean time Im having a sudden flush of drive to sculpt and ideas like nobodys business! I like this!!!:D

Also I have a book I am thinking of selling to fund my supply needs. Learning to be a doll artist by Martha Armstrong hand. Its in demand right now for BJD making techniques. And Susan Oroyan "designing the doll" most doll artist have this but oh well.

I also have June Goodnows vhs on making molds and casting dolls in resin and a lutz girl body with clothes and wigs. Ill throw in a Briar torso to play with and edit if your a blossuming bjd sculptor that could be helpful..
The body is un-moded ,unaltered, second owner. Im willing to part with.. I will sell say 300 or trade for supples. Like patented leather. I prefer in pastel pink, cream,buff, parchment or any dusty pastel.Quality angora mohair in the palest blond and clay. Flesh clay even the brown in puppen,prosculpt,premo or fimo classic.

Kush :Gold,Iron and Blood

2010-07-03T16:43:00.000-07:00

So, I finished my sculpture today! I hope you like her. She is a fantasy based on the ancient civilization of Kush.
She is the ghost of a lion dancer that haunts the desert. She met some tragic end so long ago even her name is lost. Maybe if your brave enough to put her by your bedside she will whisper it to you in your dreams.@-@

Originally I started her for the Frida Kahlo challenge,but I had a hideous face that wouldnt obey. I finaly let her do as she would! I'm so glad I did.She is a strong piece! She changed so much! After I baked her she darkened. She had very white kinda bucked teeth but, those darkened too. I thought of painting them,but do ghosts have pearly whites? Shes on Etsy right now.

Creepy eyes and goodies make me happy

2010-07-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

Im stoked today.. I discovered very cool glass eyes! They are made in 1912! Usually I love to drool over vintage supplies of every kind and I get ideas just looking,but this time I just had to buy up all I could afford! They come in 2 parts the white sclera base and the clear glass cornea! You can paint the iris,but Ill have to think on that the dead white is so incredible!
I am going to make some big eyed children with these!:D

So, also my mind has been milling a lot on improving my productions and my figures. I wanted soft bodies. This is a sneek peek of Scarlet tested on a leather body. I made to look old. I think the worn leather body and strange white eyes will just fit together for someone.

I also got this nice metallic lace on Etsy. I adore metallic lace and I think its key for getting a quasi religious look for my martyred child warriors and waifs. But its hard to find in small scale or really nice stuff that doesnt tap me out.

Oh also quick add.. for you Bev this green eyed girl. I havent forgotten!

Mistweaver

2010-06-24T11:21:00.001-07:00

This girl turned out really lovely ,but is so hard to get good photos of! She turned out very graceful and sweet ,but light in mood this time not so dark as my other pieces. I had fun draping her dress to look floaty and like you see in classical paintings.

I also discovered it's not so easy to attach a clay figure to a glass base! To solve the problem ,I filled the candle hole with clear resin and drilled that so the wire of of the doll armature fit down inside. Then, I also had to permanently glue the figure with epoxy to keep her from leaning. The candle hole wasn't quite a deep enough hole. Anyway I fixed it!^-^ but, OOAK doll making a problem solvers dream!

Mistwalker WIP

2010-06-02T13:04:00.001-07:00

Im in the middle of dressing this piece ,but Im so proud of her so, far I had to share.
I'm sticking with a very classical style for her.Even her face is like a prim Victorian woman. Her head is about an inch in size and her eyes are like a sunlit misty day over clear waters. I used a slightly darker shade of aqua for the pupil instead of black. I want a wispy, light look for this piece. She will have a whiff of pastel blush and not much more paint than that.

The wire laurel she holds is because Ive fallen hard for the beautiful metallic lace jewelry of Edera!http://edera-faerie.blogspot.com

I cant hope to get the same look on such a tiny scale,but I wish with all my heart I could dress an entire figure in a gown of spider web silver, teensy baroque pearls and moonstone! Since the economy has dampened my supply splurges Ive begun to looooong for decadent luxury in my work even more as if this ole real life stuff cannot touch my fairy realms!
I think I will save up for something extra special where it will make a super impact.

Shylita's are done

2010-04-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

I was so out of my element with these two girls. Once their little hats were on and the soft bunny hair they were just so darned sweet!Like bundled up for snow play. I decided to give them plump little hands even though theyre just a bust,it seemed to really animate their expression.

Ok so you might be perplexed about my previous post with no comments enabled Ehem.. I was fooling around with settings and wasnt aware I had done that then later I tried to come in and fix and the blog would not load. I finaly figured out Id go to another blog,sign in and come in through the dashboard.
So, I had decided to go ahead and post my naughties right along side my cuties and to hell with decorum,but Ive changed my mind again and will censor the doll nudity here. Maybe little bars or stars.. You can still see them uncensored on deviant art. Im satisfied. No more warning pages like my art is something aweful!

A matter about maturity filters.

2010-03-31T17:51:00.000-07:00

I put a maturity filter on my blog when I started on account of dolly nudity such as my zombie fairy. I tend to forget about nipples and some are offended by nude barbies! I dont see nudity anymore only sculpting potential heh heh. That penis may as well be a vase!

However, I wondered do people who might come to my blog not visit on account of that annoying ugly warning page? Cause they would miss out on my sweet dark children and my felties or beads ,true? Hands up my little starlings who thinks I need a seperate site for the nudes? See Im priveledged to be sculpting a peice for John Santerineross soon too and it will be hot stuff probably and of course I wanna share. I want to see just how out of the box I can go.

Anyway.I hate the idea of having two blogs theres hardly enough about me to fill one,but if you say so Ill do it!

Of course I added Blaspheme pics just because she seemed fittingly OT .

Peace freinds^-^

Shylita's splinter

2010-03-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

I've been sculpting something I've wanted to do a while now,but now was the right moment. I've seen some really neat interpretations .. you know how those can stop you in your tracks wondering if you have something to bring to the table. Also I always avoid a big trend unless its something that goes along with the already estabished goals of my work. If it sticks and nags you over 2 years go on and make it I say!

Its conjoined twins! Well... my pair are less about the actaul physical conjoined twins and more about duality. The "splinter" in the title refers to a shizm in Shylita or an absorbed twin. Kinda facinating that many of us are meant to be born twins ,but absorb the weaker one in utero! I longed for a sister too and have an imaginary freind/shadow sister "Rosa" maybe she could be a remnant of that?

I happened to be lucky enough to meet real conjoined twins when I was age 11 and I thought they must be the luckiest girls ever! They were curly headed blonds about age 5. Perfect little girls who happened to be joined at the shoulder and torso.

Arnt they pretty nestled together?:D

These are about finished except I want to felt some caps for them and had to order the right pale soft color.Anyway enjoy the wip photos for now;)

Mooneypearl

2010-02-25T15:01:00.000-08:00

Its been a while since Ive posted cause I havent had much good to talk about and my work has been at a crawl. But something shifted at 3am yesterday and I feel healthy pink returning to my creative cheeks!

MP sitting in my felting basket:)
I thought Id post some photos of an side project. This reprents my slow tentative journey into felting.

I names him because his face is chock full of dreaded polymerclay bane called the "moonie">:( *crosses self* and also cause the color of the face looked so moonlike and yet Mooneypearl defies you to say his moonies are flaws!

they are freckles an elegant accent! So see he is also a "pearl" of great beauty like fellow artist Pattee whom he's made for http://odd-dolls.blogspot.com/

Ive discovered that this felting thing requires a diffenrt state of mind Im not used to but, have been craving. Felting says "Im cosy and okay just as I am"..sculpting says "not good enough" try harder, your no michelangeo! At least for me. With sculpting I feel such a gnawing drive for excellence that I get no peace! Felt is like cloudfilled bliss.

I glued Mooneypearls cabochon face into the felt which some glue ended up showing Hrmm... Im thinking of buying that cd Karen on clayalley sells that is just for adding polymer clay sculpted parts to feltwork. Have any of you readers got that one? Im not confident with the process of armature,weighting and adding the parts.

Some muse is whispering to me there. Id like to see if I can combine sculpted female parts with furry felted animals parts for shape shifters.

By the way this singular peice of feltwork is what drove me to try combining felt and clay . Its a bag by Irit Dulman & Tal Cohen. I cant resist how unmade it seems. Like weathered by storms or grown that way!

Last moon of 09

2009-12-31T18:46:00.000-08:00

Ho eager newyears revelers! Isnt this pretty? its the veiw out my window right now its the last moon of 09. I wish what my eye sees was captureable but, anyway Ive recorded the moment. I thought it looked fit for a spooky fantasy land. The clouds were drifting slowly like grazing sheep.Ahh!

Art and life wize nothing interesting has been happening and I havent been in the mood for blogging or speaking or seeing humans. Not that anybody reads this. >:P Im settling in my new place. For a while I had a weird sence of freefloating . Unable to concetrate. The supply I need is always at the bottom of the last box I check. So, everthing has been turned on its ear. I have a new downsized studio. A cosy chair with a nice little pull cart on wheels full of supplies. I rather like this, no fuss no muss. Here's my pus-pus Sprocket keeping my spot warm for me.Im finaly getting commitments out of the way to make room for new projects. And Im excited for the new year . Today is the first day I fealt a little bit jazzed.

Happy creating to everyone!

All dolled up at Eclectix

2009-10-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

Eclectix site has been updated with images in the mini side show "All dolled up"

Show includes yours truely... Nita , Kerry Kate, Sheri deBow and JennyBird Alcantara!!!! How very cool! ^-^

Click on "current exhibit"
http://www.eclectix.com/

Sorry I have not been posting but, Im almost moved into my fresh new house.

a lil change

2009-09-14T17:14:00.000-07:00

You might have noticed Ive been MIA (missing in action) what has happened is we cant keep up payments on our home so, were letting it go and gonna rent a smaller place. Im not too upset about it . I think its a good thing realy since my art has been in a semi slump. I say semi cause Im still sculpting,just at the rate a snail tiptoes through a salt flat. Being in a new environment and new perspective..something else to focus on will help Im sure..and I have my eye on a place that has a wisteria arbour. *hopes*

A coworker a few years ago dropped me off at the house. We both were vollenteers . Martha had 85 yrs and has since graduated to the next plane. I had just moved into this old house and I was content with my basic little life I told her. She said " just remember things change" Ayup! they did. I started to sculpt shortly after that.

Were packing our stuff. Im leting go of junk I should have filtered out a long time ago.. Like I got rid of my big teddy bear pillow cause I am a big girl now uhuh.^-^ I crave blessed simplicity. lack of clutter and clean open space- to wave my arms franticly.

Even though things seem backwash right now I think the universe must be trying to throw some good my way. I keep meeting people who want to send me gifts. its perplexed me why all of a sudden?

Recently I had my hubby drop off beads in person to a buyer on etsy who happens to live in my town. She gave me some of her sterling silver art as a gift. This large pendant in particualr isnt it gorgeous! I had a blast setting up pictures using our birdbath as a nature set. They looked to me like fairie treasure and offerings. She's plainspirit on etsy if youd like to see her other stuff. Besides the lovely gifts she is also a wonderful down to earth person and I hope this will turn into a longterm friendship.

my own little world

2009-08-15T18:06:00.000-07:00

Here 's my new bust "Vanessa" I think finished though Im always tempted to do just a bit more.. I actauly liked her much better without hair but , a girl must have hair and for the most part Im pleased with her. The light really makes a big diffence in how she looks. Side light makes her glow within! ^-^ I added a few freckles to fracture the flawless "covergirl " look and gave her antlers.
She embodies a longing for inner healing and for the shady bower, the babbling brook and deep peace of nature. I hope you get some of that too.

Vanessa

2009-08-02T22:09:00.000-07:00

Things are finaly begining to form again for me after about a month of not being able to sculpt decently.

Im also working on a green eyed mermaid so my mind is all on green and fresh things right now. I thought she might be Rusulka but, now I think she is too carefree for that. A bonett of strawberries might fit ,but Im not going to stay tied to that if she says no.

I was hoping to achieve a higher level of realism for this peice so, I worked from a photo of Milla Jovovich as a 12 year old. I dont know how that is going to work out. Maybe I should have picked a more realistic model than Milla but I also wanted an elvish look!

Flame and Ash ADO challange peice

2009-07-16T18:49:00.001-07:00

Got some nice photos of Flame and her lil companion Ash today. I hope you like them. The theme of Flame and Ash is Purfiying and Rebirth. You can see Im sure that Flame is a glaring child capable of destructive powers ,but at the same time pure and innocent with her white banadages coving her burns like a nuns habit. These are self imoliating burns as fire and smoke emerge from her mouth shown by the scaring of her cheeks and smoke stains on the bandages. The nimbus symbolizes the intense radiance and enegry within her.

Ash is like a wisp of smoke and has the face of a wize stern but, gental fellow he will see that Flame's destruction fosters beginings ,hope , growth and change. He coaxes tiny spouts to grow. He is attached with a magnet in two parts his head is able to swivel on a neck magnet for posing and the wisp of his body also can be removed from on Flames temple.

I stunned my self with the forcefulness this peice ,but also just a touch disapointed with the completed figure. It is nothing like I started out imagining!

The hair is not quite the color I wanted but, will do . Its a carrot orange with deep red tipping. I didnt get any topaz I liked for her bling but, I gave her a square rhinestone choker that I actauly wore when I was 10 till it broke. The necklace has history so, I hate to see it go ,but why hang on to things you cant use?: shrug:

Most disapointing the layering the colored clay didnt work out . I liked her much better pre-cure cause the clay yellowed and darkend in such a way that she looked ashy and dead. Yes... worse than now! So, balancing this out I painted her with a wash of white. Not wanting to heat cure her yet again I used acrylics instead of genesis. Will have to revisit to see what else emerges at a later date.

I use a white wash on most of my child figures. This has a shamanic spirit world meaning for me. Its also a devise that takes the veiwer away from predictably interpreting a literal clay skin surface. The logical mind likes to label and know it all and it flicks across a peice of art in seconds and says "ah yes I know what this is" plunks it in a labeled box and dismisses it. Does it take you seconds to be done looking ? The part of the mind I want to engage is the side that feels deeply and can stare and be facinatated or lost in what it looks at. It doesnt try to label its only a pair of fresh eager eyes.

To know what Im aiming at.. imagine my sculpts as a misty image that shifts in the light. Because it isnt flawless or entirely tangible youll find new things to see depending on the light. Like a dream child rather than a real one. Did I hit the mark? Its easy when making a painting or taking a photo to mist, blur or grain the image for mood ,in a sculpture its a whole difficnt challange! How to make something etheral thats solid and right there!?

So anyway now I am very interested in working with natural pigments and making my own gesso. I foung this link http://www.earthpigments.com/index.cfm

While out blog skiping.. who was it.. Susan Mcmahon or one of the herbal or art blogs? I dunno lemme know if you think it was you.

I remembered that I used to use gesso alot on my wooden dolls carving and sanding it for shaping.. and at some point it changed consistancy and I could never carve it again. I had no idea this was because the gesso was really acrylic rather than the traditional gesso I had the fortune to use earlier. So my old love for gesso has strirred awake! I think I will try to make some ^-^

Facing the formless void

2009-06-29T03:28:00.000-07:00

This undefined bust is how I feel right now. The head in back is old work shes there for moral support. Saying see you have skill in there somewhere.

A formless void ..As if the future is cloudy and unformed just now. More so than usual. Are we at the eye of the storm or is something wonderous about to happen that changes everything?

I had a horrible crash tapering off the Efexor and I never fealt so sick in my life!Im jake now cept for some insomnia really! ^.^And if not Bah anyway! Im ready for my seat next to YOU and the dormouse!

I had some insight recently. I dont give a rats posterior about being in magazines or making a ton of green. Im not terribly impressed by most honors people wave around as proof of something. I dont wanna be a high productive machine. Id rather a few special people cherish my intimate artworks. Maybe pass them on to their kids later.. Thats good cause I had got caught up in feeling a bit guilty for not being the doll a week workhorse type. I imagine alot and research alot and thats part of the process I enjoy. Im not only fashioning the hollow semblance of a figure .I want to capture the soul and full story. You cant do that rushing to 3rd base. Wham bam thank ye mam! is good for making babies fast but, it makes a lousy lover!

I made some tiny food in an effort to feel I was doing something in ther direction of artfulness. Everytime I try to make a face I got some ugly thing. And not as in neat salty character! Ive even stopped work on Flame my ADO Challange peice because I started to strip ,carve away and redo and then strip down and redo over and over! I knew if I kept it up Id have a ruined peice!

I made an Amanita Muscara. I dont think theyre edible ,but see... my names in there.

And a cute morel. Something I cant mess up and finish quickWhew! Someday Id like to taste a morel after were properly introduced. They have a funky look as if they could poison you if they decided not to like you.

I started practicing making these fruit, and forest harvest for a future peice . I want a mediaeval gathering basket briming with bounty of nature. Including honey comb ,flowers, herbs .. maybe some handmade foods like buiscuit or cheese.

A summer abundance theme. Sounds like a positive peice huh? Just watch somehow I will have the best of intentions and something creepy will come of it! >:{ Hey I cant help it dont hate me for chanelling the angel that picked me!

ADO Elements Challange FIRE

2009-06-08T23:27:00.000-07:00

This is Flame O'neal . I started her in brown prosculpt since I had that around and I wont use prosculpt for any tiny sculpture since its fragile and I mixed in some kato. My clay was getting low so, Im going through my scrap clay! At this point I hated her. It seemed she might never look right.

Since I missed the other challanges I figured I better do this one cause what if the next challange suxs and uninspires ... Im likely to get kicked out of ADO!

So, anyway I chose Fire as my element. My reasoning is Ive done alot of mermaids,blue dressed peices and I havent done much in the warm tones. I thought of Austrialian opals and citrines and topaz.
Plus I took into consideration the symbolic values of each element. I have plenty earth ,water,and air in my life,but I could sure use some fire! Energy, excitement , passion! A little balance is in order right?

Now I hear in the back of my brain.. you dont belive that fluffy shit do ya? Well first of all the unconscious speaks in symbols ...realy has a time understanding left brain concepts like labeling things and order, numbers , writing, time , schedualing and measurement... ya know all that stuff Im lacking?

And guess what doves?? your muse is most comfortable shacking up in your right brain. So.. its not so far fetched that speaking in her own language (imagery, directions, symbols, faces and emotions) and seeking balance in your expression could make for a healthy muse. Eager to please YOU her helpless host. ^-^
Look what happened. Scary huh? I think I am thrown a curveball sometimes. She appears purple in this shot because of blue skylight. I got this silver nimbus crown and I think she looks swell with it. I decided from the begining I wanted to base my fire peice on the purifying qualities of flame and the way after a fire ash will cause plants to regrow.

Here she is now. Looking lovely and angelical.

She will also have a companion Ash a small being.. I have yet to sculpt him and her hand and of course she needs hair and other things to complete. Luckily I have the end of June to finish her.

Briar as Sandman's Death

2009-05-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

This is a custom Briar I am working on. Isnt she haunting like this?:D She needs black eyes which I will make to replace the blue glass ones and her angora wig needs to be dyed black too. Ill need to make a simple black dress for her ,but the thing is she needs some black biker like boots. Im not sure how to make them and the one for sale that would fit her are $40!

She's base coated with Mr super clear and Im using model paints to paint her face. These paints donot blend! However I hate that pastels wear off so easily if touched!

I havent read Neil Gaiman's Sandman series,but I have read neverwhere and stardust. I hope Ive captured the way she is suposed to look. I searched for images online of her and each one seemed diffenrt!

Song a unicorn girl!

2009-05-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

Well if you havent seen her yet.. spamed all over I did^-^ I have to post images of my uni girl here too. Im just so proud of this peice! Download the super highres at deviant art!

She is sold today and didnt make it to Etsy. Im sorry about that,but my recent not feeling too hot has progressed into a full blown strep throat or staph. The whole... list it, describe it , price,notify list seemed overwhelming . So I took ye old quick and easy route. Nitabug falls to peices bit by bit film at 11!

Her hair is a 7" long mohair. I put the mohair in peroxide and in a sunny window to lighten it further since I cant seem to find a shiney soft mohair that is a true white. Its still not as albino pure as I had in mind ,but close enough. I kinda wish Id sculpted her fully so I could make her white hooves and forelock too!

She has large holes in her earlobes but no earings. Also a large lowerlip /chin hole but no plug there. Theres a chance that over the ages in bad times gems and gold were taken to be sold or melted down . Sad dont you think? Since we have so few artifacts remaining that show the fine workmanship of the unirace.

The little bit of clothing she has is felted milk fiber. A bit of the storm blue I posted about earlier. Then I added a thread knot. I pull these out of the washing machine and save them. Inevitably the seams on my clothing hook on another peice of clothing and I find these serindipidous knots of colorful threads. I felted that into the milk fiber. Very organic no? And a pretty clear irridecent star pin that at first was sculpted right into her crown on the left side. I think it belonged to her grandmother. This is what my muse says... I dont make this stuff up!

I need to find another star button. one of my many family pet names..my moms pet name for me is Starseed. So I wanted to make a starseed peice. Husband says "no, if you make that its mine"! So , in popped the quirkey replacement name Starwad. I will get around to making a starwad bust when a star object pops up in my life and says" hey there you need me doncha?"*winks*

In the meantime Flame and Ash bust for the elements challange will be emerging along side other bits and bobs.

Arinhrod the second attempt

2009-05-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

Hello here I am ! half bubble off plumb ,but fighting the good fight!Here are fresh piccies of Arinhrod turning out much more to my liking this time.

Ive scultped her hands and only have to add them after a bit of sanding. Im doing so poorly at finishing her in a timely manner and Im far more inspired to work on busts right now! Simpler to finish , larger so no squinty detail and no need for clothing. I am planing to close commissions for a while to recover.But still have a mermaid commission for June. really would like to have Arinhrod finished by that time. I was hoping to get some deep blue czech glass buttons for her crown. Similar to what Mucha medalions on his ladies on either side of the ear. I found these from Crazycakes on Etsy.

Czech glass buttons are so dreamy Id like a huge collection of them! Of course instead of keeping them for show Id sculpt them as cabochons into creepy masses of my" dark baroque "engravings

Fiber Porn!

2009-05-17T14:44:00.000-07:00

Turn away if you have no interest in needle felting. Its a potentialy addictive craft. You stab fibers aimlessly with a needle. A very calming medative action... when its icepics Id like to drive through peoples heads...ehem. At the end of it you can have a nice critter body, a hat or cloak.

Got this wonderful package of felting fibers in the mail. All wrapped in blue sparkly tissue paper and a sweet little tag from the seller.

It's "blue storm" milk fiber. A varigrated bluish grey and it does look just like clouds. My idea was to use this for Arinhrods sleeves. Long medieval pendulum sleeves with tattered whispy edges.

The texture is very similar to silk tussah and it it a bit less glinty. it felts up lovely,soft and very lightweight.

Also was included a free sample of curly golden honey mohair?locks. Im happy for a while.

lil mamas's day in the woods

2009-05-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

I spent the day in the mountain's with my mama. I call her lil mama since she's only 5'. I think I out grew her around 12! we had a nice afternoon stroll looking for wildflowers.

It was a good wet winter and there were Alpine's, blue dick's, blue eyes,White yarrow in bloom. tiny yellow guys I dont know the names of .

Mom braided my hair as I sat under a big pine looking for owl scat. Looks like they havent come to that spot in a while. I was hoping to find some tiny rodent bones. She also gave me some Primorose. Hopefuly that will get me through my anxiety and help me get off medication.

Kind of a neat story. Ive never known any of my grandparents which is sad because I love old stuff especialy the stories old people tell. But I happend to search online and found my great neice Erica online. We'd never met and I dont think we knew of each others existance. Through her I got some photos. Including one that was a black and while photo . It looked cliped from a newspaper of my paternal great grandmother Jessie. It was added to the church flier they have when someone dies. She had the kindest eyes so, I imeadiatly connected to her even though I never knew her! I decided that photo wasnt very nice so, I took it into photoshop and painted it. On the flier it mentioned a favorite poem of hers was called "keep a goin" so, I googled it! Its pretty good advice from the previous generation.. for anybody in these times ;)

Keep a-Goin' (by Frank L. Stanton c1920)

If you strike a thorn or rose,Keep a-goin'!If it hails of if it snows,Keep a-goin'!'

Taint no use to sit an'whineWhen the fish ain't on your line;Bait your hook an' keep a-tryin'-Keep a-goin'!

When the weather kills your crop,Keep a-goin'!Though 'tis work to reach the top,Keep a-goin'!

S'pose you're out o' ev'ry dime,Gittin' broke ain't any crime;Tell the world you're feelin' prime -Keep a-goin'!

When it looks like all is up,Keep a-goin'!Drain the sweetness from the cup,Keep a-goin'!

See the wild birds on the wing,Hear the bells that sweetly ring,When you feel like sighin', sing -Keep a-goin'!

facing burnout!

2009-05-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

My mind is always busy with ideas... sometimes irrational ideas like a new name for my punk band ,words with hidden meaning.. like Sleetwealth or how to make a loom to put acid trippin spiders to weaving fairy lace.

Regardless if Im sick or realy dont feel like working on art, I do it every single day. Some of my best peices were sculpted in bed, sometimes while sick or just not wanting to face the world. Some of my worst peices were sculpted in bed too. ^o^either at 3am when am suddenly struck by the muse or with the agitated nessesity of meeting a deadline.

Last month Dr. Warsaw has informed me he has no more effexor samples for me . Just like that your on your own kid.. Since I cant afford 600 a month Im going to have a short tapering off. @_@ I wasnt maintaining well anyway since the crap makes me sleep ridiculosly long hours and cuts into my sculpting time.

So this is my new work area. it looks kinda lonely right now huh?

I love it though! Two overhead florecent lights. An amber window which is tinting the room . Lots more space and white countertop to work on.

Im having the hardest time finishing Arinhrod. I see only frustrating mistakes with her. Her face is lovely and her violet eyes ,but Im so burnt out and unenthusiastic as if a thread has been cut between us. Im tempted to start again from scratch until I can feel it with this one again. Shes waiting for her hands and a sculpted corset not even much sculpting left to do! The sleeves and dress will be fabric. I must say I am not enjoying puppen fimo right now so, I want to switch clays Again!

Shiwadlion's

2009-04-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

Ah so...you have not heard of the Shiwadlion? It doesnt surprise me as its such a coveted thing. One must be very brave and steadfast to discover our land, let alone take on the hike to the wildest parts of the island. Braving rocky cliffs to come to the windswept hidden valleys of grass just as it turns from verdant green to gold!

Lazy day

2009-04-21T17:09:00.001-07:00

Its a beautiful spring day ,but my studio is still a shambles! I had'nt realized what a supply pack rat Ive become! I set up a spot where I can hang my doll s form the ceiling as i work,but I would like one of those metal banana trees so, I can hang them in the oven as well. It would be great to have no more flat bums and toes.

So this is my humbly pretty veiw outside the window in my workshop. How do you like our lawn? Now I know what youre thinking ,but this unmowed, tousled wildflower feild look takes alot of effort!!! heh heh

Across the way you can see the niebors roof. behind our bare grape vine. The trees of heaven are naked too,but They get the neatest red leaves! Heres a picture from a few years ago. With a shiwadlion Ive picked.

Another award thingy!

2009-04-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

Ok Iam honored,but Im going to have to ask that be the last yall! I have much work to do this year. Thanks for showing me the love ^-^

Spritehttp://spritebites-brokenplanet.blogspot.com/ gave me this Proximity award. This one has a really nice message I think.

The description of this award is as follows.
This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!”and so I give pass this award to 8 other bloggers, friends...and ask that they do the same....

Lemme see 5 addictions yawns ..how about 5 of my biggest influences right now? or you could call it the gnawing muses insistant whispers.

1.

Brothers Quay. I am going to attempt antique German or French style leather bodies soon . Im starting to like the odd some would say ugly proportions of these bodies and the patina of the old waxy leather. I think there is intruiging tension in them

2. Queen Annie's Ive always loved them,but just discovered reproductions of them in blogdom and something about thier squirrely eyes,cracked complextions and lush costumes is insta love for me!Someday gotta make at least one!

3. Felting fibers. It helps me to dream up completely non related images. Im considering sculpting Rusualka again because I saw a most beautiful peice of mossy green mohair on etsy! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22399705

For some reason I just love the symbolic feel of using milk fiber!

4. Anything folk art retablo, shrine shaped or featuring santos(saints) or creche figures.

5.metailic thread ,knitting,tatting or knotting whichevers simplest!This is insane I know ,but since metalic lace trim is expensive and not small scale enough to please me. Im reasearching making my own. I prolly should pay the man the 20 dollars!

Arinhrod wip's etc

2009-04-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

Here's my commission in progress. Night queen Arinhrod. Her name means "silver wheel" refering to the stars.

She is further along that this. I always take pictures to reveal assemetry and flaws. Ill be busy on her April ,but Im also furing a coat for a feral girl for Etsy. That takes alot of patience if you dont want the fur to look mangey! And Im almost out of crafters pick aeeeh! Then I have continueing work on my tryptich. With a tiny automata girl curled inside. Im really excited to see her finished. Im in the middle of moving my workshop from its cramped ,dark little hallway to a spare room once my husbands guy room/den. Lookd into disks of old wip piccies today and of my old work areas, Im always so jealous yet intrugued seeing other peoples workspaces! So many goodies and tools, bolts of cloth like that princess and the pea story and dolls laying about. I dont have much to see but, parts and peices of accidents. my desk is childs bedroom vanity without a mirror. Someday Id like to refurbish it and paint some nature scenes on the front of the drawers. but its not comfortable to sit at long so Im guilty of sculpting while checking email! Which I read at ADO invites ...dust! Ptah save us!

Gypsy: nobody's child

2009-03-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

Im so embarrassed I have so many projects going at once and waiting to be worked on! I even have a commission for a queen of night in the works.
I dont know what happened... I couldnt resist working on her right away! (((( on Etsy now)))))
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6215741
This lil one wanted to be born now! She has gemstone earings and freehand writing across her forhead, Her hair is the softest pearl grey fur (naturaly shed) and in her gilded nitcho is a picture of a screaming monkey and a uncut crystal. both behind a tiny lense that can be removed.

My zombie fairy awaits the perfect base, Amulet is painted and is getting her dredlocks, my feral girl is slowly getting fur applied to her coat. The trypitch is coming along with its intricate details and in the meantime beads need finishing and I am testing body patterns for future leather soft bodys.

The lilest thing

2009-03-23T01:43:00.000-07:00

I know I havent been talkative. Im a bit withdrawn, overwhelmed and depressed these last weeks. This will cycle around and Ill be back to myself soon Im sure.

I got a sweet little kreativ blogger award from Tracy ala Dust of Enchantment.http://dustofenchantment.blogspot.com/ Thank's Tracy!

7 things I like... oh dears and I must tag 7 others. Ill get to that later.

7. The sun warm peaches from my tree.

6. waking up to loud purrs.

5. Spring

4 . Intense orange lindt chocolate

3. Threadbare silk velvet

2. My cherished sisterfreinds even the guy ones.

1.When my man gets on his knees and lays his head in my lap.

Ok. heres my kreative blog victims. Eeeh how to find someone not already hit?

7.http://spritebites-brokenplanet.blogspot.com/ cause I like all the fun wip and workshop photos!

6. Pat ! http://www.shadows.4oni.com/blog/

5. Sue cause I said Id get you!http://bartonoriginals.blogspot.com/

4. Christine http://dubuhdudesigns.typepad.com/du_buh_du_designs/

3. Erin http://eirewolf.wordpress.com/

2. Susie http://susiemcmahondolls.blogspot.com/

1. Joanna http://joannathomasdolls.blogspot.com/

Bizzy Bee

2009-03-02T18:59:00.001-08:00

I hope none of you are waiting for me to post beads or sculpture on etsy. Etsy doesnt except paypal for seller fees and my CC is overdrawn and it will take a while before I can get it back to health. So be patient with me. I still want to begin a peice for the ADO challange Shakespeare! But I dont know if Ill have time. A bust of Ophelia I think because I adore Waterhouse and Milias

Ive been working on this elf head version of Briar. The head is done and the cleaned up hands are done too and Ill be sending those out right away to get cast. I think shes even better as a fae girl. Elf ear Briar is slated to debut in Dolls magazine too:D

Ive been juggling! I finished my sexy godess commission Emma. Check my deviant art page to see several high res images of her.

This heres my Tryptich in progress. Coming along well and Im excited to see it develop. Same theme as the previous one and it'll probably be encrusted with ornament by the time Im finished. Its 8" instead of 4" so , Il include a doll inside and will have the two side flaps. Somehow it reminds me of the big door to Moria in lord of the rings. I used Durland's wax medium with ocher pastel for antiquing the paper. It gives it a nice texturel.

Brain drain about mummies

2009-02-12T18:30:00.001-08:00

Morbid anatomy is a great blog for doll ideas. I went and saw what looked like a pretty wooden doll. very realistic and detailed. By hy dont they show her costume and maybe ball jointed body. However , its a mummy of a child from 1920! she so sweet and perfectly preserved. I cant help but think how loved she must ahve been and almost imagine her speaking in a little voice or blinking again!

She reminds me of a mummy I had seen in a magazine years ago and fell in love with!

Juanita the ice princess. She had a silver doll with headress, red wool blanket and Juanita was to me something alien fae. A being from another world! I drew the artifacts that were burried with her and I started carving wooden thingies that were abstracted human effigies. I got into those African effigy dolls full of nails and trying to copy that look on the crude things I made from found objects,sticks and carved avacado seeds.

I think my love of artdolls is rooted in my love of mummies and bog men,north pole explorers preserved in ice, tragic figures of Pompeii and the egypian tombs that use to occupy my young mind.

So anyway that explains why this artist Shain Erin is a present favorite . I woudl love to own one of these ,but they are all so cool how to choose!? http://shainerin.wordpress.com/

To me these effigy's hail back to the true orign of dolls which is suposed to be derived from the word "Idol" Africa with the voodoo, and original zombies, mysterious jungle cultures with sacred native ritual, the shabati and the wax dolls burned on a pyre to take away illness. The medicine men and mystical women. In my own way Im doing the same thing...making effigies of children with a nitcho in the chest for reliques. Preserving effemeral memories,symbols of a child that was. Since all of us adults are the remnant of a child that no longer exists physicly ,but in spirit is still with us.

Its my UNbirthday what about you?

2009-02-11T18:34:00.000-08:00

I Found out yesterday that Doll magazine is out and there is Briar right on the cover looking Gorgeous in face up and gown by Aimee (Armelia) of DOA. Righteaous huh? Inside you can see Briar "Secret garden" too.
http://www.dollsmagazine-digital.com/dolls/200904/

But Im really excited that yesterday I got a wonderful bunch of packages. The first was full of parts for me to edit. Ill redo Briar, give her a new head and make improvements in her design.

I got a nice ghost white Briar to be tricked out as Sandman's Lady death in a few months( for Jeff;) and do you like sweets?....I got a special Briar, Im so delighted with... a sinfully decadent toffee BJD! Ive named her Melusine :D Ive decided shes cajun or creole.. and from around the 1920's 30's She could lounge about like a lenci boudoir doll or saucy smoker in those floaty sheer dresses with beading and I must use tea stained laces I think!

Id love to make a cellophane and dogeared cardstock original vintagy sales box for her that says "Eat me!" Or" soft liquor center"! And give her an Alice in Wonderland theme and tea set with mini cakes... The wig here is actauly a rabbit fur hat I made. Ill proabably sculpt a polished flapper type hairstyle that will stay on and cling close to the head. I have so many ideas for her! This pic is a little dark to see,but Ill be taking new photos when I get her fixed up.

I really dont know how the faux folk art/ prim art is done except to stain a bit with coffee or tea. but I love that stuff. maybe its hard to tell since Ive become a sculptor,but those simpler things still call out to my heart.

The next package was my shrine peices. *rubbs hands together* They turned out perfect! Im busy right now finishing up my Emma Godess..chesty lil thing>G<>

The last package was fat quarters! Yay!I love fat quarters and just the wordsy...fat quarters tickles me. Say it with me now loud and with zest!...

Ahaha phych! I didnt say it out loud! Now dont you feel like a fool*points* I got some Hoffman batik really affordably. I might even use it rather than bring it out to pet and squee over. That used to be what Id do with cloth ^-^ ,but now. Its make with the scissors doll!

Ill tell you what you can do with yr glitter!

2009-02-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

Im a little under the weather but, I wanted to show off my zombie girl . She's looking better even has the pointed ear thingy goin ,but I still think her expression is less than spot on. Ill have to get in more practice with extreme expressions. I took the lazy way out with the armaure and just worked my way down with smidges of aluminum foil and epoxy as I went. I had a smaller cupsize but husband insisted I fill her out more.

Whats so fun about this is Im using scrap clay and I havent mixed an entire batch for even color tone,but tiny batches with lots of translucent clay. That means she ends up with alot of mysterious layered colors. You can see it in the head since I have it pre-cured before adding more clay on top. So after I cure if she gets a flaw it should be no problem to carve it out and back fill and it will only add to the lovely mottling of her custardy skin.

sugestions for the perfect zombie punk fae wings pretty please?

A new turn ...shrine's and triptych's

2009-02-01T15:05:00.000-08:00

Hey there, I just ordered some wood for future projects stuff that those of you who know me well will get that Ive wanted to make a loooong time... cause Im inspired by santos and reliques , creche figures and the like.

I drew my own simple shrine shape and sent it to an online store to have lazer cut into a flat pattern, then I will sculpt, paint and decorate it to contain my figures. They cost about 2.50 each and so far thats the cheapest way I can think of to get such a thing made. Later I can get coffin shapes , peaked house shapes and make shallow shadow boxes. I can line the boxes with fabric or photos even paint with genesis oils. I think it will be neat looking and appeal to more than just the usual doll collectors.Here is a similar sculpted victorian frame I made ,but this one is only 4 " square so not big enough for what Id like to do. I used an old wooden coaster. I feel most satisfied somehow applying my clay to wood.

This is the type of triptych I want reminicent of Mark Ryden's Blood cd case http://www.amazon.com/MARK-RYDEN-MUSICAL-RIDGEWAY-WEXSTUN/dp/B000PIDE6O

Avalon Preistess Angels sing!!!

2009-01-31T17:06:00.000-08:00

Here she is in all her glory ,though I have to say her photos dont do her justice! Im so proud of myself for making this dress. ...Yes dont snicker you talented seamstresses! Im so intimidated by costume design,but naturaly I have an unatural love for expensive fabric and vintagey trims and lace so, what better excuse to buy it than to sew PreRaphealite and medieval gowns? I learned about the joy of interfacing and that I desperatly need cloth reserved scissors and that frey check could be my best friend.

I hope you approve of my fox. Its my first and hopefuly Ill get alot better at it. She does have eyes somewhere burried in shadow. Mi lady also has braids that cascade from her temples if you can see them. *grumbles* I get by with a little help from my friends! Tiny rubyred swavarski crystals (on the celtic necklace) Gorgeous moss green silk and "Delectable mountain" batise courtesy of Bev Choi,Victoria Mock, Heidi:)

Avalon almost finished

2009-01-28T17:18:00.000-08:00

Avalon Priestess getting her hair do done. I really surprised myself with the gown. The bodice I had to size and sew over and over to get right.

I might add a simple sleeve panel over the white liene sleeve a plaid wrap with round pin stiched in place and possible a string of beads on the neck.

I tried to get plaid in there somewhere to convey the kilt which has its roots in celtic clothing. Id like to have had a bit of a tribal touch ,but I couldnt think of anything except the wode paint.

I could use some help if anyone has tips about soft body figures. Id like to switch to sculpting a breast plate and hands and making a type of soft body that has a solidish form. Not slouchy.

too late! I done been mooned er..that is tagged

2009-01-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

Horror of horrors I have to try to find 6 things that arnt totally boring about me! Sue http://bartonoriginals.blogspot.com/Ill get your for this some day!

1. Im addicted to gummies. Worms,bears and sour dinosaurs. I can eat an entire bag in one sitting.

2. I listen to alot of old time radio programs . The Edgar Bergan show,Suspence and x- minus one are some of my favorites. I even sing old commertial jingles before my time on account of it.

3. As a child I wanted to grow up to be a mermaid. And used to stay in the pool as long as possible hoping to grow gills..... Artist is almost as good.

4. Id like to learn to sing "Rapture" by Blondie in japanese

5. Ive carved avadaco seeds, sealing wax, twigs and antler. Ive never gone more than a week without making something with my hands. so, if I get in a bind I use whatevers around. Dont stand in one spot too long if you visit.

6. innagodanavida now baby!

So , you read through all that?! Here's your reward. Updated piccie of my pretty zombie fairy. I switched out one of her blue eyes for an orange one. Creepier yes?

Nita goes ugly early

2009-01-16T17:26:00.000-08:00

Well here is a difficult little zombie character who has been insisting she get made just now. Never mind more important peices these aperitions decide who gets worked on when. Ive even been woken at 3am to sculpt some strange and usualy non sales freindly peice!

This is a bit of scrap clay.. quite filthy and manhandled.Thing is I keep trying to make her cuter. As a zombie girl should be huggable right?That right eye keeps wanting to wander like it has a mind of its own.

Beads

2009-01-16T15:25:00.001-08:00

Here are some 2" hollow lozenge beads some finished some not. I managed to sell 4 on the bottom row before I got them listed on esty. So, now I should get on making some more.

These are alot more relaxing than sculpting a full figure. I mix clay colors at random and put them through the pasta machine layered for sheets that that look torn up and something like strata.

Then after those are cured I can add a face or some such element sculpted on top. I also just recently started adding gem chips into the clay too. It adds a subtle texture change from the opaque clays.

Avalon Preistess WIP's

2009-01-14T15:21:00.000-08:00

Im busy with this preistess commission. Working on her body she looked pretty good till I put my steampunk bifocals on and saw that I had lots of black lint and fibers to scrape off before they got embedded in the clay!
I feel as if Im sculpting with fly paper on a farm. I realy love her expression and eyes though.I hope to buy an airfilter to fix this issue cause Im sure alot of production time is wasted picking , smoothing and picking again! Arggg! Wearing white is not enough and if I must Ill end up sculpting in a climate controled bubble!!!!!!!!

Ive spent days furring this little fox and have her face and paws left to fur. Its very careful ,time consuming work ,but the idea of having a soft natural looking tiny animal drives me wild. I takes far more fur than I imagined and I had to dye a second time only to find the furs looked diffenrt shades!

Here they are together on thier lake side base which might get a bit more flotsam and grass. Once she has hair and a lovely dress ,they should look great together.

Its true,stars shine britest at midnite

2009-01-11T20:54:00.000-08:00

I bet you never thought Id make a blog! Im pretty hermity and quiet,but here I am. I hope I dont bore you till you puke. I dont have cute sticky kids to show or a luxurious home and workshop filled to the rafters,but I do have a constant flow of ideas, dumb thoughts , heretical theories and demented works popping from the receses of my mind.
I thought Id post sculpting WIP's, new media ideas that can be applied to OOAk sculpture, ball joint wips since Im working on a head for Therese Olsen's Ilysande and also maybe introduce you to the many artists ranging far and wide across every genre that I love and who inpire me.

This year seems off to a good fresh start. Im officialy giving fee-bay the finger . It was a blessing while it lasted,but now... I dont need them. *rasberries* Etsy is an artist nurturing site I think. You dont see the whopping end price your peer got,you dont have sniping, watch numbers, you dont have feature plus made to ensure for $20 you get seen, then find your many pages deep!
If I can get used to having a store rather that the emotional rollercoaster that is an e-bay auction.
I already feel a muse fog lifting ... some things that have endlessly blocked and frustrated me eyes,bases, wings,smoothing,lint and magnification are now out of the way.

I want to add mixed media assemblage/shadowboxes which Ive always wanted to do,but never have found a good supplier for. I want to make more affordable items . Busts, beads and simpler figures so anybody can afford some of my work. Also Im interested in tiny critters that can go with my figures and also more animal hybrid figures. Youll see for sure more deep engraving dessimated skin my doves*bats lashes*

Of course ,this blog is new. No more website for me, a cutting of the fat for our finacial times:) More money for clay and goodies.
-nita