Art Dolls

 I am still working on clay cloth combinations. Who knows, perhaps this is where the universe wants me to be.

 These girls are now on my Etsy store. I call them Forest Fairies (Bird and Fauna) I drew and painted on their little bodies. Soft colors, which is a departure from my electrifying circus colors.

Today I am cleaning my studio. It was such a mess I couldn't focus. Do you get like that too? Seriously... a friend commented to me "OCD much" uh, yes I guess so. Honestly, I couldn't set a cup of coffee on the table. Sorry I haven't written here much, will be better now that I have ditched Facebook.

Don't forget to look for me on Instagram @Vixterina and you will see more posts. You can always say hi!

Getting Where I Need To Be

I have a bad feeling my thumb is going to be naughty for a very long time. Went to the doctor a few weeks back and he said it was a cyst on the knuckle: suggested surgery or as a hold over he could try to drain it and cortisone shot. Don't want surgery. Is my foot better from surgery? No.

 So while my thumb is being naughty I am going to keep it bandaged and keep on sewing and adding clay parts. I have to say I love the doll I have been working on. Here is a head shot. I held her out in the bushes but it was so windy... her hair got wild. She'll soon be listed on my Etsy store.

One Month Until NCECA

The count down starts. Flying to Pittsburgh for a reception at Morgan Glass gallery and NCECA. It'll be the first time I travel without my husband since.... ever? Actually when my parent's died... but I digress. (cue the Debbie Downer music!) Dang. But on a brighter note, the show at Morgan looks great. If you're in the area pop by. Visit these two little dears.

Brexit Sessions. 

And this piece is called We All Have Demons, Some Are Just Cuter. 

I can't wait to fill my suitcase with ceramic tools. And seriously if you're there... please say hi. I am a real chatter box.

Scooter Sculpture

Latest check, the world is still a mess. I wish we could scoot out of here. So this lovely gal reflects my feelings. Driving me crazy. Can't watch the news.
Trying to focus on happy but somehow she looks sad. Or is it pensive? (oh don't say Pence) LOL.

 Can't think of a name for her? For now she's Scooter Girl. Goofy just like me.

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?

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.

Playing with Images

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

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.

Making Molds

Mold making is dirty, messy and a necessary evil. Thought I would post images on my newest mold. You might have seen it on my newest double figure. It's the face with closed eyes. I even got the cast face out in one piece after the mold was made.

My molds aren't pretty, but they do the trick. No slip casting. Pressing all the way.

New Sculptures and New Ideas

Here are a few of my newest sculptures. I have starting trying a lighter hand with color. And adding hair, sewing more too. And a lot more angels. Ethereal. Light. Reason? After experiencing horrible shortness of breath that I thought  was allergies.

Went to the doctor and it turned out to be sky high cholesterol, pre-diabetes along with allergies. Suffice it to say I had angels watching over me. Thank God I went to a new doctor. So brace yourself for a whole lot of winged ladies. Guardian angels are filling my studio.

Ethereal New Work in 2015

For a lot of reasons lately I've been doing a lot of soul searching with regards to my art. Long ago I made clothes for my figures but talked myself out of doing it because I didn't have a degree in fashion design. But I love to sew, and bead, and embroider, and paint, and make jewelry, (and, and and). So I got really pissed at myself and here's what I have been up to in the past few months. A lot more labor and materials go into these so the price point will be higher than my older work. Hoping to list them in the next week or two. Do you like?

Newest Sculpture: Londiva

I've been sketching like a fiend because I wanted to try something different. Here's what I've been doing. Sewing clothes on nude figures and combining mixed media. Her necklaces are real pearls, her brooch is one of my mom's old pearl earrings and her crown is metal. Thinking I am in love.

Bark Exhibition

Here is the college press release for the Bark exhibition. It opens September 16th. Delivering the work tomorrow.

More wall sculptures

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day meet Mr. Green Feet as well as Hugs Hugs, and the bathing beauty Jane (you Tarzan, me Jane). I must make more with hair like hers. Sort of like a little German girls.

St. Lawrence River Rats by Victoria Rose Martin

I've been getting pieces together for the Bay House Artisan's in Alexandria Bay, NY. I've created a series of pieces call River Rats. That's the name given to people who spend a lot of time on the St. Lawrence. The pieces are based on memories of swimming at the Village Park and at Aunt Margaret's cottage at Clear Lake. We weren't allowed near the dock without out life jackets you know.

Ta da!! You'll notice these kids are standing. The bases resemble the rocks that jut from the St. Lawrence River. Some are glazed to have the look of moss and water lines. They also have holes in their backs so they can be hung on a wall too.

I am getting ready to send a few smaller pieces to the gallery in the next day or two. When we head up in July I am bringing the larger pieces with the girls riding on the castle. So if you're in Northern New York this summer make a trip to Alexandria Bay to visit the kids.

Ricë and upcoming articles

It's been a busy few weeks here. My interview with the amazing Ricë Freeman Zachary who is just the easiest person to talk to. Honestly, I am so relaxed talking to her even though we've never met face to face I feel like I've known her forever. Thanks to Ricë I am going to be posting how to market yourself as an artist on Create Mixed Media. If you're an artist and not sure how to get your name out there please check them out. They'll be appearing in November so watch for those.

I've also had several galleries picking up work, some new prospects like Meeka Gallery in Boise, Idaho. So if you're near Boise, please visit the new gallery. Visit my kids, make sure they're not too lonely without me. My pieces at the Clay Studio in Philadelphia sold out so I have to ship 5 more. 

And I've just restocked Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery in Lake Worth. It was looking a bit sparse, my apologies. But you'll find a lot more goodies on the shelf. Florida Craftsmen Gallery, you're next.

The piece accompanying this entry can be seen in the display case at Clay Glass Metal Stone. So if you're in the neighborhood please stop by and check out the new work. Happy Friday to all!!

Cat on a Bird

I unloaded a kiln this morning, thank God I have my dear friend Betty at the Craft Gallery. She's been doing my firings since we moved. Reason: I haven't been able to open the prehistoric garage door and we need a new one. Replacing it is on my long list of things to do. I refuse to fire the kiln without the garage door being open. I supposed I could roll the kiln out doors beside the house, but that would mean keeping a door another door open with a cord running through it. Then I'd have to wait for the kiln to cool before wheeling it in and I am not cool leaving a kiln full of work outside my house.

Can you imagine waking up in the morning to find an empty kiln? Me neither. Probably wouldn't happen but... I am glad to have Betty at the Craft Gallery.