Transition

That word can mean many things to different people. For me it's crossing a river from comfortable place to a very strange and unusual land. A nice, creative one with lots of bright colors. I love color. I love all types of art. Getting a little ahead of myself.

I am transitioning from being one type of artist to another. For the past 30 or so years (jeepers, I'm divulging how many trips I've been around the sun) I've been a traditional cloth doll artist. I'd design a doll, make the pattern, find fabric, cut out the doll, sew it, stuff it, paint the face, and then dress it. I've done everything from cottage industry type things, to limited editions, to one-of-a-kinds. I've made play dolls for both boys and girls and dolls you just put on a shelf and look at how pretty and cool they are. That was way back when fabric was good. Now it's hard to find a fabric that will hold up to what I did to it. Fabric that's the right color for brown dolls, fabric that doesn't feel slippery. Because when I found something that worked, they'd go and change it. And the search would be on again. Then the fabric stores started closing or moving further away.

Now don't get me wrong. I love cloth dolls. I've won ribbons, had one woman art shows; been in galleries and cool little shops; taught classes; been in local newspapers; photos of my dolls have shown up in doll magazines; made dolls, that were a huge part of the story in an independent movie (still on the shelf), the main character was a doll maker; had my dolls in an exhibit in a museum (The Delta Fine Arts Museum); and had an interview on the local public radio station because of that exhibit; have a doll on permanent display in a children's museum; and had my dolls decorate the set of a stage production along with making a doll used in the play. I have done a lot with cloth and I am proud of what I have accomplished with them but now I want to move on.

I couldn't understand how I could still design, sew, and stuff the doll but after that, I lost interest. I wouldn't finish the doll. Why? Well, it's the stuffing part. I've stuffed a lot and oh... the right stuffing I like to use is getting more difficult to find. Why do they have to change formulas? Stuffing takes a lot of time. I love painting the faces and dressing the dolls; putting on the final touches of beads, buttons, or feathers. But once I was done with the stuffing, the dolls just sat. And it was a chore getting back to them. Plus my hands are having a hard time doing that part nowadays. I longed to do dolls or figures that I could pose, put on a stand, in a vignette. Tell a story. I tried porcelain (finicky), needle felting (a lot like stuffing), polymer or oven bake clay (no place to do that now), and air dry clay.

For right now, I've settled on the air dry clay. It's not as portable as cloth but easy to clean up. I can sand the dried piece, drill it, paint it, stain it, whatever. And I have started a couple of pieces. I'm terrified that they won't come out. That no one will like them. So I've decided to just make them for me. Just do it. Learn the new medium. There will be a learning curve and it will take a lot longer if I don't open up the bag of clay. I have so many ideas sketched out. On paper, in sketchbooks, on napkins. It's something SOOOOOO totally different.

But I've given myself permission to 'Make It Suck' and then I'll let others decide if they like it or not. That's what a friend of mine told me to do. Make it Suck. I will wrap up the few cloth dolls that I have waiting to be finished. Then step on the next stone leading to the other side of the river. It's scary but I'm getting excited. Until then, here are some bloomers.

Hello February!

Where did January go? It was a bit sad, so maybe it's a good thing it has been put into the archives. I got really sick towards the end and now I'm a bit behind my schedule. The good thing about schedules is that they can be changed. I did manage to get some new work done, yesterday and they are ready for the Small Art/Big Heart show and sale at Hampton House Art & Framing. The artwork has to be 12" or smaller and they rarely have 3D pieces, so I had to do something. I'm sure you might remember these guys, or at least two of them.

Larz and Juno.

Mixed media, polymer clay, cloth, wire armature, felt and self standing. That's the part I really like.

This is what they looked like before the paint job. Now I've got to finish the other two and get to some Halloween things. Have a great month.

More Friends

My little alien has some more friends on the way.

My hands are getting better and some fingers got a little toasty.  The feet are really coming along quite nicely.  What you see on the heads are the backs of the heads.  With the first little guy, I did the head in one go and kept messing the back on the head up.  Then when I got the back of the head fixed, I messed up the front.  So I put on and baked the back of the head first and I will do their faces tomorrow.

I got a new doll commission today.

I've been going gang busters getting the writing typed up.  This week so far I've gotten 2934 words.  I will just write to get my stories down and then see which ones are worth finishing.  Map Hunter II is coming along also.  More pics soon.

I'm still going to have the giveaway but it's been postponed until next month which is my birthday.  Plus it will give me time to get some more aliens done.  I'm seriously having fun with the aliens.  So please bear with me.  I want a new design for the giveaway.

A new doll - Finally!

I feel like the Little Engine that could. I think I can, I think I can, I did it. I haven't made a new doll in a long time and I have made one out of polymer clay in ages. Eons. Okay, maybe not that long. I had a new oven and all. Even an oven thermometer, which did come in handy. The head did get a little toasty and it's a good thing that this little alien will be painted anyway. I will continue to work on hands and I'm so happy that he/she can stand alone. Never could do that with my cloth dolls. The pic isn't the greatest but I was in a hurry to get a post in for the day.

He/she does have a little belly. That was fun making.

Wonderful Wednesday and a Doll

Hello! It's a glorious Wednesday and it's raining. Yay! Still gotta work on the humidity but it's a lot more comfortable in my apartment and studio. I may be able to be in my studio a lot longer today. That is so fantastic. I'm doing better at enjoying each moment of my day. I'm also getting better at enjoying what I do each day instead of what I didn't get to on the list that can go around the world. I now giggle when I think about what I've accomplished for the day. It's pretty awesome. That feeling of being in the moment.

Okay, today is going to be busy because tomorrow I'm going to a museum and movie with the gal pals. This will be one of the long days I'd been talking about. Remember? Have one or two knockout, creatively killer days during the week. Or at least one. I think this will be it.

• I've got to work on an applique block. Getting behind again. 
• Work on another Moli Doll, they seem to be happening right now after being unfinished for over a year.
• Post a blog, which I'm doing.
• Work on my short stay. I can't make the real thing until the mock up is done. Can't make a Jane Austen gown until I have a short stay.
• Continue on my latest collection of voodoo doll pins. Ran out of buttons and was going to go to the store today but patterns are on sale next week at JoAnn's, so I guess I'll wait. I will work on their skirts and red hearts today.
• Get my 500 words in.
• Play with some clay.

Yeah, sure. I'll check back in with you on that list. Ha, ha, ha! But I'm feeling quite happy and I'm ready to get going. Right after breakfast. Have a wonderful day all!!!!

Works in Progress

Things are moving along. Still not where I think I should be but at least I'm moving in the right creative direction. These pieces are for an upcoming local craft show. Like two weeks from now.

More voodoo doll pins. They seem to do well. I do have ideas for new ones. They will be evolving in the near future.

Angel ornaments that are being transformed into faeries. Don't you just love the colors? They may also be getting a new design soon.

Something totally new. Foil forms for polymer dolls. Scary, yes. It's not like I haven't done polymer dolls before, I'm just not confident in doing them. I have sold two since I've been here in North Carolina, so this may be a good thing. I'm putting it out there so if you don't see any progress within the next week, you have permission to bug me.

I guess I'll go do something creative now. Have a great day!

Brunson Elementary School

Last week I went to speak to 5th graders at Brunson Elementary School. I showed many dolls and spoke about my creative process. They loved it. My dolls and me. I had a lot of fun and have been invited back.

I started with some cloth dolls I had made, went into polymer, and then needle felting. I'm working on a small project for them to do.

Marley Batsheva and her Amazing Bat Circus

I finally got the last piece done for my show. It's Marley Batsheva, named by two friends, and her bat circus. I had fun making the bats. They are needle felted over a wire armature, with felt wings and beads for eyes. Marley loves her bats. Here's her story:

Coming from a family of performers, artists, and writers, Marley decided to continue the tradition. She has created her own bat circus. She's not too fond of fleas. Bats are more petable.

Forgot to take the pin out of this bat. Oops! He's been skewered. They still need some practice, don't you think?

And look what I found at the craft store. I was looking for something else when I spotted these two beauties. The last two. I'm on the hunt for more but I believe I've missed the boat. Get it? Dracula was on a boat.... Anyhoo, I can't wait to paint and decorate them and see what dollie goes inside. My voodoo doll pins are too big. Drats! It doesn't matter. I'm creative.

I'm supposed to be taking it easy this week. A self imposed break of sorts before I get back into the creative swing of things. I will probably continue to rearrange things and get projects in order on my craft bookcase. See which dolls in progress I want to finish and get everything together to get started on new ones. Now, I've got the holidays to think about. I'm also thinking about a different background for my blog. Not satisfied with this one.

I have a lot on my creative plate for the rest on this month and year. I'm so excited, I can't wait to clue you in on some things. I will be doing more needle felted pieces and throw myself into some polymer clay. I can get back to my applique and finish off a quilt or two. My Etsy shop needs a lot of work, so that's on the list too. 

Have a great day!

Two Heads are Better Than One

I have an art exhibit coming up and pulled out these two heads.  They are made of polymer clay and I still like them.  That's why I will try to bring them to life.  I'm working out the details of their bodies.  I don't know if I want them as individual pieces or a team.  I'm going to have to work on that fast.