Boat Sculpture

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” 

 H. Jackson Brown Jr., PS I love You.
   

The subject of boats seem to raise their head every now and then in my art. My dad worked on and restored boats and it turns out I had ancestors who were Admirals in the Royal Navy way back in the day. So boats mean a lot to me symbolically. And I think the quote above speaks why a lot of us connect to them.

 Going to keep the colors very soft. Watercolor is my favorite paint medium. By far. Making my own masts from bits of wood.

 You can even see my finger prints in this face detail. How I love seeing the presence of the human hand in a work of art.

So today throw off the bowlines and sail.

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. 

New Large Sculptures

 Just finished these large sculptures today. Very happy with them, and very happy to be done to be honest. It's taken a few months to create them. They stand in my studio looking like they're ready for a mission.

And me kneeling with them to show you scale. They really make me happy. So far their names are from left to right: Where the Wind Blows, Prophet, and Anastasia. Each one holds her wings. And Where the Wind Blows on the left has a grackle's nest (bird). I found it on the ground after a bad rain storm.

A New Favorite Thing

While at NIADA I bought this piece by Reina Mia Brill. Her work really speaks to me. I think that this is what I feel like on the inside. And today on the first day back to school after summer vacation.... probably what I look like on the outside! Reina is really a cool person, and I am a huge fan. Did I mention she has a shop?

NIADA conference

Just back from Orlando and the NIADA conference. Holy moly, saw some GREAT artwork. Here's a few images from the sale today. If you aren't familiar with NIADA or the wonderful artists or the sale... well let me introduce you to:

 Ankie Daanen.

 

Chris Chomick and Peter Meder. You should see their automata (watch the movie Hugo)

 

 

 Diane Keeler. Check out the Queen of Hearts and the Bride in White. I am drooling.

 And Karin Otto Burfict. Stunning.

 Leslie Keeble

 

and Marlaine Verhelst. The best part? They're all really nice people and a lot of them do workshops. 

Ready for Summer?

Fresh out of the kiln. Three new sets of doubles with their little dollies. 

Two are off to Florida Craftsmen Gallery and one will be posted on Etsy or Artisans on the Ave in Lake Worth. Having fun making little toy cuddly toys for the kids. Hope you like them.

Arts to Market Article: Discover the World of Doll Art

Thought I'd share an article Discover the World of Doll Art found at Arts to Market's website. Yours truly gets a mention. And thank you to Barbara Campbell for a lovely article.