You've Got to Work It.

You've got to rework it is more like it. Normally my studio wall has pieces displayed that are either fresh made, ready for the gallery, or hate it and it's ready for "hammer time". Hammer time is when I take a hammer and smash the crap out of them. I mean I can't let yucky ones out there into the world. That would be so wrong.
So I have been reworking these. And now I am liking them. And it's taking my mind off this awful election.

New hair. New puppets, new body, feathers, wings. 

If life was only so easy.

Can you imagine how this would change bad hair days? I'd scoop out a new bob or braids. Take some fat off the thighs. Add wings. Perfect.

Just goes to show you, nothing is lost until it is... Or is it?

Updated my studio

The good news is I revamped my studio. Light and bright. Lately I am so into white. Maybe I am subconsciously craving snow? (Ah, no!!) Here's a picture I snapped last night.

The good news is I love it, the bad news while laying the bamboo flooring I dropped heavy planks on my "good foot" and am waiting for x-rays to see if there are broken bones. Can't put a shoe on my foot, but who would want to with that fuzzy rug? (I joke) Well, half joke. Thinking about painting my ware boards white. Fingers crossed I don't need another cast. Will keep you posted.

Two Dolls included in Summer Issue: Art Doll Quarterly

I received my issue of Art Doll Quarterly in the mail today and was skimming through it when I saw two of my own dolls. Having forgotten the editor Jana Holstein requested a couple of images a few months ago. That sounds just like me to forget. But what a lovely surprise to see them. So if you're near a Barnes and Noble, look for Art Doll Quarterly and check out my kids.

Happy Earth Day!

It's Earth Day, so I thought I'd take another moment to say thank you to the earth for supplying my favorite art material: Clay. As the ice age was ending and massive glaciers scraped across the earth, grinding rock became wonderful clay deposits. Lucky me.

If you've got a lot of space plant a tree.  Those of you who have kids, you should really care about the planet. And I don't know about you, but I like clean air and water. I am weird like that. Happy Earth Day.

Update: Flowers

Here's a photo of the green (unfired) doll from an earlier post. She's covered in flowers.

Quite colorful. Me being a Virgo I loved painting all of the fussy details.

Seeing Pink on Monday

It's Monday night and I am dragging tail. In an attempt to "snap out of it I went for a walk. Then I went into my studio and stood there blinking. You know, some nights you just can't muster the energy. But just as it was getting dark I tried snapping a picture of a new figure. I didn't sculpt but at least I did something.

Her name is tentatively Summer because she feels like summer. A day at the beach, light. Well, except for her Club a Go-Go eye make up. And how about that pink backdrop? Summer.

and more dolls

 So I thought I'd post two more new dolls. Butterflies and birds everywhere. Spring is in the air.

I am still recovering from my surgery in January. Very happy to be walking. In my heart I am floating on air, or being carried by butterflies. Or birds.

Spring!

Spring is in the air. Last week I planted rose bushes and I have flowers on the brain. And on the doll. Each little flower was hand made and then attached. Butterflies and flowers and birds and bees all buzzing around my studio.

She's still wet green clay. Slowly drying. 

Painting Butterflies

I am on spring break and that means studio time. This morning I was painting this girl covered with monarch butterflies.

I built her the night the cast was taken off my leg. What a good feeling walking again. Slowly getting better. Below is when she was green. (unfired and just built).

I am still enjoying illustrating the dolls. I don't get to paint that much and it's just so nice to sculpt and paint.

Florida Craft Art Shipment

I have sent a whole lot of artwork to Florida Craft Art in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. They were down to a couple of figures so the new babies arrived just in time. If you're in the neighborhood stop by and visit the kids.

On my Foot

Today I got so tired of sitting in bed so I dragged myself on crutches into the studio for a little while. I got really tired so I worked

fast. Foot propped up on a stool and inspired by my recent injury and feeling like a total donkey was the inspiration. Note the donkey ears.

The hoof on the left foot? The wrapped leg. If you can't laugh at yourself... I am giving her wings

because I wish I could fly and not have to clip clop around. And frankly, I was too tired and lazy to make arms and all those tiny fingers needed.

Take Care of Yourself

Well, you know how everyone makes resolutions at the New Year? And snarky me is always "hell no resolutions are so lame!"Well, I sort of have a resolution; to listen to my body. Here's a picture of my left leg and foot. (and an old doll on my bedroom wall)

Notice the cast? Remember those races I ran this year? It seems some of them were run on a stress fractured heel bone. And if you keep jogging on a fractured bone terrible things will happen. I was busy with work and didn't have the time to schedule a doctor's visit. Sound familiar?

A large lump developed below the ankle and that's what finally got me to the doctor. And I couldn't walk anymore. I had surgery last Friday and here I am. May I add, CRUTCHES SUCK!

 If you have something that hurts, is lumpy or just isn't right please just go see a doctor. And if it lasts longer than a few weeks, it probably won't go away on its own. The moral of the story? You are worth more than you know. Watch for dolls with foot issues.

Happy New Year

It's almost 2016 and this week I have felt like painting. The joy of drawing, and thin washes of bright color and animals. So here are all of the above. How I enjoy seeing the pencil lines, the artist's hand. The thought and process visible on the surface. Might put these on the Etsy shop. Definitely in Artisans on the Ave in Lake Worth (Betty's Gallery).

New Heads

When I screw up I always try to find the sunny side. A few weeks ago I was making a head and it just looked goofy, so in disgust I  flattened it and something funny happened; I liked it. (it was this head)

Then I made a second head and I smashed it flat too (it was this one)

And then I gave her a flower in her hair. Then I called in my husband as I often do and said "opinion?" He liked them too. I tend to be tight with my art but with these I am quite loose.

 And they're really fun to make. I get to smash  them and make them weird.

Don't worry, I even made a salt and pepper set. I am still making my crazy dolls. But these I am going to explore some more. New things just in time for New Year.

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to show a new piece and wish a very Merry Christmas. I have been scouring old sketchbooks from 20 years ago (can you even imagine?) Me neither. Exploring and making old ideas new again.

So far I am calling this Barnacles. She's part octopus and part mermaid. I've got two more similar to her just about done. Merry Christmas!! And a very happy, healthy, creative new year.

Everything Old is New Again

The house Martin's are out of the kiln and ready to fly the coop. House forms and birds will always be a part of my visual language. Playing with a lot of color lately.

These measure between 7 and 8.5 inches tall.

And they're for table top or shelf display.

 This one sold, and is living in north Florida. 

Merry Christmas early.

Playing with Images

Having more fun with Photoshop. These are newer figures made to look super old.

April Calendar Page

Can you believe Easter is this Sunday? Nope, me neither. But rumor has it there's a hardboiled egg with my name on it. Even if you don't celebrate the holiday go buy yourself some jelly beans and have some fun. And please, have a handful of jelly beans or a peeps for me.

Two new doll sculptures

I am working on these girls. Not sure if the white one is done. I sort of like her stark. Icy cool.

Two New Figures: Florida CraftArt

Next week is spring break! (can you hear me yodeling with joy?) We're bringing a body of work up to Florida CraftArt in St. Petersburg so keep your eyes open for these kids. The single figure is the lovely Jasmine and the double figure is titled "It's What You Believe".  Notice her skirt is removable.

Their bathing suits are permanent clay. And they arrive with a stand and they hang on the wall.  Hope you like.