Another Etsy

Another day and another phone call with my sister and after our conversation lots of ideas to explore in clay. (Watch for lots of animal companions). In the meantime thought I would share another piece that is available in my Etsy shop. This wall sculpture is called Think Think. He measures about 16 inches high and has a handy little hole in his back so he can easily be hung on a nail or screw.

You might notice if you zoom in that this wee little lad is anatomically correct. His tidy whities aren't hiding anything. I realized I was sculpting so many female forms and I was neglecting the boys. I am enjoying cutting in their six packs and even their "niblets". I hope you enjoy the work and be sure to cruise on over to Etsy if not to see my work browse what they have to offer. So much beautiful hand made work. And you are putting money into the pocket of a real live person and not a huge corporation.

New Pieces on Etsy

My sister Kelly phoned me today and said "I went to your blog and you haven't written anything in ages, why not?" So in honor of Kelly I am posting an image of a new sculpture which I have for sale on Etsy. This wall sculpture measures approximately 17 inches high is actually inspired by childhood memories of Kelly and me.

The joined bodies represent the closeness siblings share. The white wing represents the protection of an unseen guardian angel. It can also represent how regardless of the squabbles you may have you are joined to family and hold an unseen bond. The panties they wear are similar to the horrible rubber pants we wore over our cloth diapers. (I know... TMA)

In nutshell, if you have family that you love tell them so. Kelly, I love you and thanks for poking to write this. Hey... that sounds like a great concept for another piece.

Then and Now

This little lady popped out of the kiln today. Funny enough while I was sculpting it I had thought of the best title... do you think I can remember it now? So, I am calling her Then and Now. The sculpture stands about 36" high and she is seated in an old Amaco doll high chair.

I remember being a kid and going to friend's or cousin's houses and seeing toys like that chair and DROOLING. Now here I am in my 40's and I am still drooling over funky old doll chairs. It's nice to see nothing has changed.

Anyhow, I have to deliver her to Tequesta tomorrow after class for an exhibition at the Lighthouse Center for the Arts. The show opens September 15th. If you are in the area I hope you can make it to the opening reception.

How are you inspired?

Inspiration can be readily found, safely tucked away in fine museums all around the world. Like this fine terra cotta figure I discovered while wandering the nooks and crannies of the British Museum, or even the small painted wooden figure I admired at the V & A. I thought the security guards were going to escort me out the door because I was spending so much time staring, photographing and sketching the treasures. One guard even came up to the case where I was drooling over one piece, grabbed the corner of it and gave it a firm shake as if testing the strength and then walked away.

I thought to myself "what's up with that?" You mean not everyone takes 342 photos of one terra cotta form? Okay, maybe I was a bit art crazed but when you see something that inspires you take a picture, make a sketch and take it back to the studio and see how it can influence your art.

But if you can't make it to a museum, remember to look at the ordinary. Perhaps it's moss growing on a wall or the way sunlight falls on an object. See the beauty around you. But beware, somebody might call security. Happy Saturday.

Art Doll Quarterly Fall 2011 Issue

I am proud to say that I am the featured artist for the fall 2011 Art Doll Quarterly magazine and it is available on new stands now. Head out to your nearest Barnes and Noble, W. H. Smith, Borders, Books a Million or where ever and pick up a copy and take a look. Where Dreams and Memories Merge is the title of the story written about me by the ever fabulous Rïce Freeman Zachary. If you haven't visited her web site do, and yes she is as happy, sweet and wonderful as she appears to be.

I have included the image of the fall issues table of contents to this blog entry. You can also visit the Stampington/ Art Doll Quarterly web site to order a copy for $14.99 (USD). You'll also have to buy Spring 2012 issue of Art Doll Quarterly because I have written a step-by-step tutorial on sculpting a figure from terra cotta clay. So watch my blog and facebook for more information when that issue is available.

Creative Spark and Amsterdam

You'll find a nice interview on Create Mixed Media. There are photos of my studio and some interiors of my house. And yes, my dining room really is purple and turquoise. One of the questions asked of me was "if I could spend one day making art with someone who would it be?". I said Vincent Van Gogh.

We spent last week in Amsterdam and I got to visit the Vincent Van Gogh museum. Seeing so much of his work was very inspirational. Aside from drooling over Van Gogh's work, one of the thing I will remember the most about Amsterdam was the number of bicycles in the city. Holy crap crossing the street was seriously taking one's life in their own hands. Back in the states we have multi level parking garages for cars, in Amsterdam they are PACKED with bikes. The photo attached here is just a tiny detail of a garage.

There were bikes under canal bridges, bike racks where they had them stacked three high. Aside from bikes there are some nice museums in Amsterdam including the Rijk Museum (Rembrandt's night watch was the highlight) and the Hermitage.

Thatched Cottage- A Lovely Sight

Happy Fourth of July!! (my favorite holiday)

Here is an image of a thatched cottage located at Kilmore Quay (Quay is pronounced Key) in Ireland. It's nice to see the cottages with the thatched roofs, it really gives you a feel of being somewhere else. From what I hear the Irish government provides grants to people who replace their modern roofs for thatched. They're beautiful, one can't help but stop admire them.

Ireland hasn't let us down, the weather as they say has all 4 seasons in one day. Today was lovely, about 70 degrees which has been the warmest day so far. We'll see what tomorrow brings.