Craft supplies on ebay.....

 In my continuing effort to find focus in my art, and make room to work in my tiny studio room I'm getting rid of pieces I know I will never use. Above is a nice batch of wood textile bobbins that would be great for art doll bases or Halloween shakers, among other creations.

 These tin canisters are so cool and I had imagined painting a nice apples or cherries border on them and spiffing them up for a kitchen with glass knobs for the tops, but alas, I just can't seem to find the time and so I'm letting these go as well.

Here are a set of children's blocks, some are very old and very cool, but again, I know that I'm never going to get to them. I planned on using them as bases for Christmas creations such as Santas or snowmen. What would you use them for? They are all starting at very low prices so check them out if you are looking for a good deal. Here's the link to see more about them... Simply Sheryl's

Bitzy Bee is buzzing around ebay...

 Pretty little Bitzy Bee

Buzzing everywhere...

Busy little Bitzy Bee

Do you really care?

Fancy little Bitzy Bee

Honey is your game...

Flightly little Bitzy Bee

Sweetness is your name!

A gourd folk art ornament  to be found on ebay. She would love to buzz around your home!

Vintage Victorian Easter Bunny Treasure Keep on ebay

A sneak peek at a paper mache box created with storing Easter treasures in. I've taken a Victorian Woolsen Spice card and copied it, then added it to this hand painted and embellished box. Aren't the little bunnies darling? Stop by my ebay auction to see more. Easter Bunny Treasure Keep
Here's to a wonderful Monday.....

Bernice Bunny on American Holiday Artist's Studios & Marketplace

 

Bernice Bunny has gathered her colored eggs and a sweet little chick to get ready for Easter.

 She wants to get ready for the Easter parade, Shhhh, don't tell her it's a bit later this year!

 Doesn't Bernice look lovely though, in her sweet homespun dress and sparkly little hat?

Bernice had me use the best trims and ribbons to dress up her outfit. As I was sculpting her she made sure I gave her big beautiful eyes, and nice bunny ears so that the big boy bunnies would be sure to be smitten. Bernice has made her debut at our American Holiday Artist's Studios & Marketplace for this coming month. Easter is already hopping at our marketplace so pop on over and enjoy!

The Layers of Life and Art

I've been reading "Of Human Bondage" by W. Somerset Maugham. It's the story of a young man with a club foot, who is orphaned at a young age. His discoveries in life and human nature take him through a period when he is in his late teens and early 20's, where he thinks he wants to be an artist, in fact he is sure he has the "genius" for it. He soon finds out though, that his aptitude for art amounts to being able to copy others quite well. After much soul searching, and a compatriots death by starvation and suicide he finally realizes that perhaps he hasn't got what it takes, and asks others their opinion. He is told that while he is good at the mechanics, he has no real "genius" for art. His friends have the mind set that you must have the overwhelming drive, the "do or die" attitude towards art, where all else suffers, even family, so that one can paint. The idea of making money wasn't as important as creating. But, without money, you have no resources to create. Quite a dilemma, wouldn't you say?

That got me to thinking about where my artistic journey is taking me. I love to create holiday figures, or storybook figures such as this White Rabbit, from Alice in Wonderland.

I made him a couple of years ago, and he was sure a fun challenge. I have a tendency to be very literal in my thinking, and that spills over into my art. As much as I would love to create whimsical figures that delight and bring smiles to those who see them, I have an even stronger drive to paint and sculpt in a more serious vein. I would also like to make money at it, so that we can do the things we want to do when hubby retires, and not feel like we have to pinch pennies all the time. Then you throw in the human factor of the needs of those around me. I am so in tune with those around me, that I can't seem to step back and let them find other resources or support so I have more time to create. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, but then am I being arrogant in thinking I'm the only one who can do it right, or do I truly care those around me and want to be helpful.
I find it interesting that I should get "Of Human Bondage" at a stage in my life where I'm assessing where I want to head with my art. Do you ever have those sorts of life coincidences? What are your challenges in your creative ventures?

Abstract Art- Challenging Myself...

 Awhile back Alyice Edrich of The Dabbling Mum shared a youtube video of work by Paul Bozzo. It was fascinating to me how he put his pieces together so I decided to try my hand at his technique. My first piece warped as I used a bare canvas, but this one didn't as I used a piece of standard board which is a type of lightweight sheet rock. It's easy to cut, and easy to work with.

Then I gathered stamps, doilies, and tools to create texture just as Paul does. I took a different approach than he, more a spring time theme for the fun of it. It was a blast to try this, and I may do more, perhaps with different themes. Layering the paint and sealer was also interesting as I like bold color but am still learning the whole "what comes first" thing. It's different for different media, some you would start light to dark, others dark to light and this ended up being a bit of both.
I would sure love some feedback on this and how it turned out. Thanks for stopping by. :-)

I'm not goofing off, really I'm not....

 Okay, rules for taking photos #1 Never wrap something until you know the photos are clear and sharp....  Ahhh well, what can I say, live and learn right?
Among the many projects in my studio were creating this pair of earrings for a family member who has a birthday coming up shortly. Simple with spring colors to perk up any pink lovers ensemble, I sure hope she likes these.

Here's the box I jazzed up to hold the earrings. It's always nice to have "stuff" on hand to make gifts out of isn't it? One of the advantages of being a creative spirit.
Well, back to the studio to work on 3 dolls that were commissioned to go along with my last Queen of Hearts doll, as well as a new art technique I'm testing and a bunny for the upcoming AHA Spring launch. What is going on in your studio these days?

Horse is finished, yay!

Hmmmm blogger is up to no good again...lol. I have been slogging through back pain and mental fatigue trying to get this piece done, and finally! So I've taken the photos, filled out the entry form for the show, and it's off to the post office in a bit to send the entry off. 
I knew it! As soon as I try to add another picture below the text, it pops underneath the other photo, oh well. So here is El Caballo De Calabasa II, a gourd horse who has a bronzed and silver look. Hubby wants me to start on the next one now, while I'm in the groove...:-) It's so nice to have his support. My house is upside down right now, but it will get put back together next week, I think. I now have 3 art dolls as a commission to do, and so it goes. Thanks to all who were cheering me on. I look forward to seeing what you've been up to. Oh, if you want to see what is happening and more information on this art show here's the link. Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts  I'll bet you've never seen a more beautiful and inspiring place to have an art show...;-)

How do you help....

 

As I sit here today sanding away the rough spots on my latest sculpture, my heart wishes it could wipe away the pain our community is feeling right now. We lost a bright young lady this last week to a tragic death. We've been told the perpetrator is in custody and has made a confession. No one has the details yet, and hopefully they won't be splashed across the news as there is already pain enough in our little town and this usually only serves to sensationalize the incident and hurt those who've lost their loved ones. 

Both of these young people had promise, and now one is gone, and the other will be put in jail for a very long time. How do you help all the families involved? How do you reach out to them, unlike my sculpture you know the cracks in their lives will be hard put to be repaired if ever. You can't give back a life, and you can't take back an action against another, once committed. So many people were involved in these young lives, and so many will be hurting for a very long time.
And then there's our family, and the struggle with trying to deal with my niece's father's murder in January. We still have no why or who in that tragic incident. Her mother died 6 years ago in a sad and awful way, so my niece has lost both of her parents in a short span of time. We have little contact as she hasn't had the opportunity to be around us much and has her own life with her husband. Yet I know that she will miss/misses her parents. My first instinct has been to want to gather all my family close so I know they are okay. I can't do that as one daughter is far away in Alaska, the other in Alabama, and my son in Oregon. My one grandson is in Arizona. The only consolation I have is that no matter what, I know Heavenly Father is there, and He knows what we need. Please pray for us in Wendover and West Wendover. We are trying to sort this all out and want to be a support to anyone who may need it but sometimes it's so hard to know how....your prayers will surely help.