Bead and Button 2012

The show is long over and I'm just now sitting down to look back at all the good times we enjoyed. Look how pleased Andrew is! I'm standing on a chair, attempting to capture the scale of the show, but we are just the first couple of booths on the right wall, a tiny portion of this huge bead paradise!
Andrew is really good about taking pictures, I, on the hand, tend to forget my camera is in my pocket. Here he is taking a picture of our amazingly fun friend Elisa Jennings Sullivan working the Beadin Path booth. We had such a good time with Elisa in the evenings! We went to a ping pong bar, a painting bar, played pool in a hip hop dance bar and enjoyed some tasty beverages at spy friendly Safe House. That girl is fun.
You might recognize the rowdy bunch at the Earthenwoods booth, Erin Siegel and Lorelei Eurto and of course Melanie Brooks. I love Melanie's amazing ceramic work. It has such a lovely feel.
Look how pretty Heather Wynn looks. I love her stuff. I picked up a stamped copper charm that reads 'forever' and put it on a chain with some of my wings. We enjoyed spending quality time with Heather, Lorelei and Katie Wall at some frenchy bar I can't think the name of, while making Greg draw pictures of everyone. It was fun.

The 2012 show felt like it went by in a flash. The lead up to the show was pretty intense, staying up late and carving wax with the remarkable Bob Burkett, pressing bronze coins and making resin and wire wings all day. When we finally got to the show after an all day drive, the weather was amazing and energizing. It felt weird to be away from the studio, like I was in a different dimension or something. It was nice to get away from constantly working, although it was a lot of work standing at the show all day. The best part of the show is visiting my buddies of course.

Resin Angel Egg Dolls!

A couple of months ago, I posted about my bottomless love for Angel Egg Dolls and all their virtues. I couldn't imagine loving them more, but now there's even more to covet! Marmite Sue is now offering her girls in resin! I was so happy, I made this paper doll. I set her onto a watercolored background near my desk so I could stare at her lovingly.

The resin version of this beautiful art doll is so intriguing because she's more affordable than her porcelain sister. This is nice, since folks like me will want more than one! Plus, I think people tend to think of porcelain as more of a display type material and would be less inclined to handle the doll, whereas resin has that weighty, sturdy feel that is really nice to touch. High quality resins are blended with various powders (like calcium, talc, mica, stone, clay) which lends texture and strength to the finished product.

The most beautiful aspect of resin in regard to Angel Egg Dolls, is the way the dyes infuse so much color into the skin of the doll. I think this saturation of color is so lifelike! The pale pink and deep tan are particularly luminous, reflecting color and light, which is amazing for photography.

The thing I love most about these wondrous girls is their ability to pose into so many natural positions. I think they would make lovely figure models for artists to draw from! I would have loved drawing one of these girls, rather than the stiff wooden mannequins I had in art school. This ability to pose is due to the thoughtful and well designed jointing system, which is fluid and very human. The elbows are particularly well done ( most dolls can't put their hand over their heart!).

I really love these little feet! They are the high heeled version one can choose for the doll, which is the trademark of Marmite Sue's dolls. They are so unusual and instantly recognizable! I love high heels and how long they make ones legs look, especially on this girl. Even though they struck me as strange looking at first, I really like how they look on this doll, like its totally natural. Good sculpting has that effect.

I decided that the jointing was my favorite thing about this doll, now I think its the face sculpts! Ok, I like a lot of things about this doll, but the faces really are wonderful! The blank face shows how sensitively the eyes and mouth are rendered, so much so, that the entire face can look completely different with a touch of paint. I've carved hundreds of faces and one of the most difficult things to capture in a sculpt is a serene expression, or the Mona Lisa smile. Artists are forever drawing folks while they are absorbed in books, or daydreaming on the train; there is a mystery to that expression that is so captivating. I think this artist has got it right, one looks at these girls and wonders what they are thinking about, what dreams are in those sad and thoughtful eyes.

To see more amazing dolls go to Marmite Sue's website: http://pickled.free.fr/index_en.html She also posts pictures on her blog: http://marmite-sue.tumblr.com/ I found loads of photos on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marmite-sue/ She can also be found on Facebook and Twitter under Marmite Sue.

new dolls!

I am crazy about dolls. This is no secret, they've appeared on this blog many times, some part of my collection and others that are on my wish list. I've added several to my ever growing family of little people and thought I'd share some of my newest additions. The dolls pictured above are made out of porcelain and are 1/12 dollhouse scale (which means an inch equals a foot). I met the artist, Marcella, at the dollhouse show in Chicago last month. We made fast friends and she invited me to her studio to watch her process, which I will someday soon take her up on. The dolls are so charming and beautifully painted, if you look close, you can see the tiny eyelashes painted on! Marcella also crochets and sews the dresses and bloomers. So sweet. She doesn't have a website, but can be reached through her email address: cutieminidolls@yahoo.com .
The dolls pictured above just arrived and are made by Tima Hass, an artist out of California. She sells her charming creations on ebay (seller name neverland43). She carves and molds the dolls, then casts each piece in resin. The dolls are meticulously and anatomically detailed and are double jointed at the knees and elbows. This is very unusual! Most dolls this size are only jointed at the neck, shoulders and hips. I'm working on my own 1:12 scale doll and its a pain making all the tiny molds, so I have a lot of respect for this artist and all the planning and engineering it took to make such poseable and lifelike joints. I love these tiny dolls so much! I can't wait to build my dollhouse and put them in. Of course they will need to be redressed to look like The Borrowers, but that's after Bead and Button! The show floor opens Thursday, June 7 at 4pm to 9pm ( dang I hate the first night, by the time you leave all the restaurants are closed). The show goes onto Sunday at 4pm, so stop by and see all the new pieces! I'll probably bring some dolls to show my buddies, so if you are interested, just ask.

Bob Burkett Tutorial: wax dragonfly vessel

New for Bead and Button 2012

These are bronze masters that I carved. They will be cast into pewter to debut at the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee. The owl is a round bead with a hole going through the top, with a stylized wood pattern on it. The dog charm is part of my 'little blessings' series and says 'puppy love' on the back. The butterfly pendant/link is inspired by Japanese embroidery and says 'unfold your own myth-rumi' on the back.
These are pieces that Greg carved for the show. I think they definitely have a masculine quality! We've had lots of requests for beads and pendants that would appeal to men and I think these do. Especially the zombie head in the middle. The snake bead is beautifully detailed all around and has a nice feel to it. I think Greg should carve the entire Chinese Zodiac to match it! I really love the little gargoyle bead, it has such a charming look to it. I think he should make more of them.

Jessica Wiesel carved this last batch of pieces for Green Girl Studios and I am totally enamored with them! Jess makes the most beautiful miniature animals, her deer are especially wonderful, so its no surprise her deer are so sensitively rendered. She's working on an etsy store that will feature her miniatures and prints, which will open the middle of June. The store name is 'weazilla', so check it in a few weeks to see her amazing creations.

Jess said "I hope your customers like deer!" and I said "It doesn't matter, because I do!". I suppose that's not the best attitude for business, but really, I want to love what we make, regardless of what's popular or on trend. I think it would show if an artist only made what was asked of them. Maybe the pieces would lack verve, or folks eyes would just pass over it....its hard to say. Anyway, I love these pieces! What do you think?

small pleasures

This time of the year is always a whirlwind of activity, carving until dawn, making jewelry till my hands ache, all on top of day to day chores. Its fun and exhausting, because I think artists thrive on impending deadlines. The house is full to capacity with the hum of machines in the studio, music to keep us lively and meals constantly being prepared (I'm loving anything in a slow cooker these days). The energy is wonderful. The new work we've been producing is fantastic (pictures as soon as they are out of the molds!) and we are really excited about it. While its fun, it can be a little tiny bit draining, so its nice to sit quietly and let one's mind wander for awhile. I started making tiny baskets from waxed linen thread. It keeps my hands busy in the morning, while thinking of the days activities, or while waiting for some process or another to finish up, since I can just put the basket in my pocket. The linen is coated with wax, so it doesn't come apart, or unravel easily. I use them as doll baskets or to hold earrings or rings at my desk. The pictures show them holding earrings by Kathy Van Kleeck and a bronze bird girl I had Greg make for a hairpin.

miniature ventures

Hello! Here are a few tiny mandrake babies I made for a dollhouse show that was held in Chicago. They are way too labor intensive to make for sale again, but I might make a couple for my own dollhouse garden. I made the pots and most of the sculpture from polymer clay, with accents from lichen, stones, sand and flock. They came out pretty cute, I think.
These little sculptures were adapted from some of my existing pieces. I carved bases and altered each one a little, so they are different from the originals. These little pieces work surprisingly well in a miniature setting. I did really well with these tiny statues! I'll probably try making a few more sculptures, maybe some reproductions of my favorite artists work. I wonder if folks would like seeing miniature Kiki Smith bird people? I know I would. Actually, cats might go over a little better. Anyway, they are just a fun side project. Tell me what you think!

Art Fest

Art Fest 2012 has come and gone and I was really happy to be a part of it. The days past in a blur of teaching, laughing and making new friends. It rained most of the days and I was too busy to take pictures during class, so I don't have many photos. The two beach pictures were taken on North Beach. It was really windy, but beautiful.
Look how rocky this beach is! Very pretty, but extremely treacherous, especially if you were clogs.
This is a tower on Fort Worden, a lovely structure with a castle-like feel, overlooking the sound.
For some reason, the place is crawling with friendly deer! You can walk right up to them. I liked seeing them fearless and peaceful.
I found this little sprig on a bush loaded with flowers. I might use the bell shape of the flower for something....maybe in my new root baby paintings. Andrew will have more on that subject.
I am totally enamored with the shapes in lichen. The lace-like forms are so pretty and reminiscent of underwater creatures. Don't they remind you of coral?
Here's a class sample from my Wonder Cabinet Butterflies class. I wish I'd gotten pictures of the students work. There were so many cute ones! Maybe Andrew took some pictures. I hope so. It felt so energetic and exciting, which was catching. I am disappointed its the last year, but maybe someone else will step up and take over. Although I am relieved to be finished, since teaching is a bit nerve wracking for me (I get so anxious that I won't be a good teacher). Anyway, it was good practice for some upcoming events.

Angel Egg Dolls

Last year I stumbled on a photograph of an astonishingly lovely porcelain ball jointed doll and my first reaction was that of delight. I was instantly reminded of a childhood memory I'd nearly forgotten. It was early evening, the light slanted low into a shop window, bathing the objects in a golden veil. It was the first time I'd ever seen antique dolls like this, dressed in ancient lace and velvet, their hair braided with pearls, their painted smiles serene. I remember standing with my mother for a long while, studying the beauties and pointing out little details I liked and wondering aloud about who the dolls were and who they once belonged to. I found myself feeling the same way about the doll in the photograph, intrigued, delighted and longing to know more.

As someone who is not new to the doll world ( I love collecting and making them!) I was delighted to see an artist I'd never seen before. I learned the dolls are called 'Angel Egg Dolls' (because the artist imagined the dolls born from the eggs of angels) and are created completely by hand by Marmite Sue, an artist based in Tokyo, Japan. Each doll is created from a set of molds, then hand carved to customize each piece. The parts are then painted with china glazes, each light layer of paint fired in the kiln until the colors are bright and saturated. Porcelain is a delicate material, translucent and fine, a perfect canvas to allow light to diffuse throughout the piece and through the layers of china paint,creating a luminous quality.

While porcelain may be delicate, it is also one of the most enduring substances known. Beautifully glazed pots have survived thousands of years, the glazes as clear today as they were when they emerged from the kiln. The amazing thing about porcelain is the chemical change that occurs during firing, the silica becomes glass, which is then impermeable to stains, discoloration or fading. The idea of how long the dolls will be around is very appealing to me.... I like imagining the world they'll exist in far in the future.

One of the most appealing qualities of an Angel Egg Doll is the options for customization. On a basic doll the faces can be swapped, carved to look completely different and painted with one's choice of makeup. The eyes can be changed from the back of the head, altering the appearance greatly. The wig is removable, so the possibilities for shifting personalities is endless.

Another unique feature Marmite Sue offers with her dolls is the possibility of carved cut outs, or pierce work. This unusual look borrows from porcelain china tea services, where borders are delicately pierced and carved to resemble lace. Little roses can be added to the neck or ankle, as well as beautifully sculpted flowers and swirls. Tattoos can be incised into the clay, so pigment can be rubbed into the surface, like intaglio plates or scrimshaw.

My favorite thing about these dolls is the jointing. They seem very fluid and natural. This appeals to me for a couple of reasons, the main one being that with most forms of sculpture, you experience it from a distance, but these seem to have an interactive, almost intimate quality in that they are the perfect size to hold and pose. The other reason is that these joints seem more human, which to me, is one of the reasons I love dolls in the first place. The imitation of life and the creation of characters and personalities is endlessly interesting to me. I guess that's why I like these dolls so much. They are so different from anything I've ever seen! I've really enjoyed looking at this talented artists work and can't wait to see more.

fairy paper doll

I think I might be a little obsessed with paper dolls lately. Here's another one! This is a fairy I painted with watercolors and egg tempera on paper.
I love how they can be posed! Azalea and I played with her for awhile, rearranging her petals and leaves, placing her in front of different backdrops and coming up with ideas for her name. She thought of 'Lyra', while I said 'Grunty' or even better, 'Wingding'. I find it amusing to come up with really weird names and see Azalea's face. Its so cute how she tries to be nice about my horrible choice of names.
Here are a few samples I made before finishing the doll. The one on the left is the first draft that I used to make the pattern. The strangely colored version is one I printed on our printer (the black ran out) to use as a test to make sure the limbs looked natural when assembled.
This is the finished painting, with the pencil lines still on it. I like this girl. Her palette was inspired by Jack-in-the-Pulpits (a bizarre woodland flower that grows in our backyard) and a lovely butterfly called a Blue Pansy.

I have to admit I find making these pretty relaxing. I work on them between projects, or when I start getting stressed out. Of course, I am getting pretty frazzled with Art Fest just a couple of weeks away! I'm not worried about teaching, or having enough materials, or if folks will get their monies worth - I know the projects and am not stingy with information, so I think it will be good. I worry about things like sending the materials, which are sensitive, that could leak, or be ruined by some over enthusiastic person checking packages. I just need to have faith that things will arrive safely. Anyway, I've been working non-stop on the classes to make sure they are amazing.