Wax and Sculpey

Delicious, yummy, amazing wax. Getting ready for another weekend of teaching in my studio. Clean paper on the work tables. Packets of collage materials. Last minute tweaks to the lesson plan. It keeps getting better if I do say so myself.

These are sample boards that I prepped this week for the new students. I don't even want to make paintings. I just like to see all the things the wax will do.

So while I had a friend and houseguest for a few days I got to putter in the studio more than usual. I was actually able to sit still and get something done. Sometimes you have to fill the moat and stay away from the computer. (yes you do)

I've been reading: Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. The books have my head swimming in English history and the middle ages and so it is no surprise that the doll that came to my studio over the weekend was a woman from that era.

This is Ysabella. Well, her head anyway. She'll get a body soon enough.

She is an independent noble woman from the 14th century, has inherited her father's money and refuses to marry. She's quite full of herself.

She shows a strong aptitude for business and carries on the family trade of import export. She owns a fleet of ships that criss cross the oceans to exotic places returning with luxury goods.

She has a penchant for good wine, rich food and little dogs.

She absolutely refuses to mingle with the other girls saying that she's from a different time and place and has no interest in making friends with these lot. Her little dog's name is Fancy and he's her only friend.

Sheesh, now I gotta make a little dog.

Getting through winter. Playing and inventing. Thinking of how creative we human beings are to use our imaginations to soothe and console ourselves and how that gets us through times of stress.

I hope you are cozy and enjoying all the lights that are appearing on the streets in the northern hemisphere. Time for me to go back to the studio. Here's a link to a cool video that will give you goose bumps.

November's Shakin'

It's been awhile, hasn't it? I've been kept busy keeping the flaming skillets up in the air but I promised myself I'd get a post up no matter what. I'm writing class proposals, making samples, went to a retreat on the Oregon coast and have generally been filling up my plate with life.

The beach retreat was a real luxury. John urged me to go as a reward for a year of adjustment and change. But I must confess that life has been pretty gentle to me for the past several months now.

It's been so long since I painted that I wasn't sure where to start. This one was done on a stack of sewn kraft paper scraps (paper bags). I plan to do more of these.

Remember the chayote vine that I photographed for you last summer? It was almost covering the trellis then.

Well, this is what it looks like now, surrounded by fall colors. It is like having the green man bulking up right in our yard. It has blossoms but will not fruit in our climate but it's sure been fun watching it grow.

While I was at it these guys were interested in what I was doing. Everything is so green in Oregon; we haven't had a frost yet.

This little guy came in the mail for me while I was at the beach. You can see more of them here all decorated up for Halloween. I'm going to decorate mine for Christmas and mail it back to Lorraine for an auction.

I met Lorraine at my doll class in Portland. This is the doll she created above. I think it is beyond wonderful. Her blog is fun and filled with great ideas; you should check it out.

A friend had a Birthday this week so she got a special card (above). She was at the Beach Retreat too. The card is mixed media encaustic. Can you see the maple leaf tucked in there? They are only red at this time of year.

And my gardenia is still blooming in the studio. What a cheerful sight in mid-November. It takes me back to the prom I attended so many years ago when I was given the first gardenia I'd ever seen.

Here is Ethel Mermaid, my newest doll that I made at the beach. She's a sassy little thing, right proud of herself for crawling up on dry land and into the doll collection.

Just look at her preening on her little shelf with the other girls (and one old man and a horse.)

Finally I painted 2 paintings while I was at the beach. Thinking about the comforts of animals, bonfires, spirit guides and more.

Time to get back to my chores. John went into a neighboring town for ingredients for some new recipes he found on the net and I'm hoping he'll pick up a burrito for me. Help me send the vibe to him ... mmm, I'm hungry. xo

addendum: Yes, John did bring me some food. And in response to your requests I've listed the above image of the crow woman for sale here.

Coming November 1st

Not available on my news stand until Monday so I haven't read the article yet but there is much excitement among the girls; Olga is having fits because she wasn't chosen for the front pages - you know what divas performers can be. Skylar is pawing the ground to see if his picture has been included and I am just happy that the little troupe of hams, I mean players, get to go out into the world and say hello.

Sculpy Dolls

Hey, well, no posts for a week and then two in one day; it's feast or famine around here. I've been making dolls again.

I admit that posting the photos of student work inspired me to get out the clay. That and the fact that it's the first moment I've had in the studio. I hardly knew where to start with so many ideas twirling around vying for attention. Finally I settled down though and made a body for the demo head I started in the class at Art & Soul.

I've named her Bianca and she is very special to me. With chenille from a student (thanks Chris!) I fashioned white polka dots for her. With me it's either dots or stripes. In this case dots.

And then along came this one which I have named Green for my own reasons. It's Green's Birthday in a day or two and so she and Bianca are going to go to their favorite Thai restaurant and then eat ice cream afterward. They like to do that.

Green is a warrior; very strong and brave. She has known Bianca for many years and Bianca admires her.

I was going to give her a superhero cape but Green shrugged it off and settled for the helmet instead.

Bianca is more of a conformist than Green is; she likes to hide in sheep's clothing.

She is loving Oregon's mild weather so far this autumn and even heard tree frogs croaking outside. She plans on staying cozy this winter in her fuzzy coat of wool. Chenille. Whatever.

Happy Birthday, Green. This one's for you. xo

Art & Soul Doll Class

My goodness this class was fun. And a learning experience for me too as this was the first time I taught it. I'll just show photos for the most part as I am not unpacked and have much to catch up on here at home. The dolls in the photos are in various stages of coming to life.

Love the wires ... will she attach beads, feathers, paint them or leave them? She can't go wrong.

This guy reminds me of Archie the comic book guy. Can't remember his last name.

What a sweet face on this one.

This is Grandma and her grandchild. The baby will go in a backpack.

This one was really TALL. Love the big shoes and skinny legs.

Some people are getting ready for Halloween. Iridescent green on her face.

A girl who is temporarily in a yoga pose. With a crow in a nest on her head.

This quirky girl made me smile a lot.

She's all buttons and bows.

Stripes and dots and my favorite green.

Little pink roses and a cheesecloth skirt. Yum yum.

A pixie with incredible hands and a beautiful face.

Here she is in her clothing.

Love the facial expressions.

Miss Haversham. Waiting in tatters for her groom to arrive.

A french can can dancer. With a luscious decolletage.

The torso girl with her legs.

Wonderful expression and expressive "hands".

My, what a pretty dress.

I wish I had time to share all the stories behind the dolls but I can tell you that the room was filled with laughter and I think it was one of the most fun classes I've ever taught. I really loved seeing all the great ideas that came forth.

Here's a little bonus photo of Misty and Jen Goff. Jen taught her first class at Art and Soul and I visited the room on the evening she was preparing for her students. She'd created a wonderful environment with candles glowing, music playing softly and beautiful bowls of herbs and ingredients to be made into health affirming body care potions. There were soft pillows and silky throws on the floor; the room was a welcome respite from the jangle outside the door. It was beautiful to be part of Jen's first teaching experience and I wish her well in all her endeavors. She is an incredible new talent.

Next up: the Stencil and Print classes. I'll save the wax class for last.

PS - I slept for 12 hours last night and it was grand. My world has expanded once again after dancing with new friends and absorbing new energies. Thank you to every one who crossed my path. I wish you well.

PPS - If I missed photographing your doll please forward a photo to me and I will post it. In counting the photos I see I have missed some but I didn't mean to. Thanks.