It's been months...

Life goes on with all of its unexpected twists and turns. We never know what is right around the corner, do we? The way I see it, this is the ultimate (and usually unappreciated) gift.

I started this piece some time ago. It was inspired by my son and his "play gym". As I stuck my head under it and  along side him one afternoon, I was struck by the way it was a world within a world. At that time, he was just a few months old. If I took the gym with us, we could do anything. Need to paint in your studio for a couple hours? No problem, take the little world along and the babe will be happy content.

All of this got me thinking about my little world within the larger world. What do I distract or entertain myself with? What do I fixate on? Do these things really matter? What is going on outside that I overlook or miss entirely? It's a simple idea, really, but I think it is important to be aware and keep perspective.

This adult-size play gym is constructed from tent poles, foam tubes, and hand stamped and stained cotton. The quilt squares are around 20" x  20" each. (Overall dimensions coming soon.) This is my first attempt at stamping my own cloth. I used acrylic paint with textile medium in lieu of dyes (It was easier to start and stop over weeks and weeks...and safe to use in a living room next to a baby.)

 

 

Complete with distorting mirror to capture your gaze.



I also used Cleanline Inko Resist for the first time when stamping this cloth. It is awesome! It is a air-dry, water-soluble resist that is easy to use and gives great results for non-immersion dyeing/stamping/painting processes. More on that soon...

Time Pieces

Something new I have been working on...

 

 

 

 

Thinking about time passing and what remains...

 

These are made with vintage pocket watch cases from CockroachShop on Etsy and human hair(...and glue and patience!) The curly one is from my last dramatic haircut; the others are hair extensions I purchased.

Sweet Home Sweets

 

Sweet Home Sweets: Paper clay with watercolor, cellophane wrappers, found plate. Each house around 1" tall.  2012

 

I found the perfect plate for these in my studio debris. I am using the word debris because it is quite a mess. However, mess equals activity...so I am delighted. More to come!

Something new at last....

This is a new piece I have been working on, "Uprooted".  It is made from Creative brand paper clay, roots from my garden, pastels, graphite, a scrap of silk I dyed pink, and good old fashioned paste wax. 

Paste wax over pastel is quickly becoming one of my favorite techniques. It is shiny but not too shiny... protective but not overly artificial and plastic feeling. I put it on, let it sit, and buff it to my desired level of sheen.

This piece is 12" tall. I have been trying and trying to make something small that is not cute. This has proven much more difficult than expected. In retrospect, maybe I should have anticipated small and cute being so intertwined...just think of all the kittens, puppies, babies, bunnies, dolls, etc. out there... they are usually small and usually cute!

Anyway, back to the studio for me. More new work is on its way.



New Work: "Suit"

"Suit", Encaustic over paper clay, 4" x 7.5" x 4", 2010

I've been experimenting with encaustic over papier-mâché and paper clay...and occasional bits of vintage, mini rick-rack trim.  Why encaustic? I've been searching out a way to create forms without seams; I am trying to fashion organic objects that seem like they grew and have real skin..... rather than doll-like shapes,  sewn and stuffed and dead.

I am not sure about encaustic yet. I love the melting wax and the application process in general. However, it is still hard for me to control and it is quite fragile when finished (prone to dings and dust). I am also investigating other finishing materials. My favorite so far is good old floor wax. More on than later...

Paper clay seems like a promising material, now that I am getting used to its properties. Creative Paper Clay is my favorite. It dries light and strong with a white, papery finish. It accepts acrylic and watercolor well, along with graphite and pastel. I have also used Prang's DAS Modeling Clay which is entirely different when dry. It is much heavier and has a silky, almost slick cured surface. The advantage to these materials is that they air dry and need no firing or baking. This is especially important if you are incorporating mixed media objects as part of the overall structure. You can also add wet clay to already dried pieces allowing for spontaneity and revisiting older forms. It is also very easy to modify dry forms by sanding, cutting and drilling. The disadvantages include cost (as compared to regular earthen clay) and little cracks that develop during drying. The cracks seem to be inevitable but with patience, they can be repaired by simply adding more clay.

Let's Talk About Love Baby" - Chido Johnson's Love Library

 

Ann-Maree Walker - The Secret Lover

 

Ann-Maree Walker - The Secret Lover



Betsy Timmer - Cookie



Betsy Timmer - Cookie detail

Some months ago, I was invited by my dear friend and artist Ann-Maree Walker to participate in the St. Louis installation of Chido Johnson's Love Library project. The Love Library is a traveling exhibition in which "individual artist’s interpretation of “love” are concealed and superficially homogenized as romance novels."

Each artist invited was asked to submit a "book" for the exhibition. While basic dimensional guidelines had to be followed, each artist's book could take a seemingly infinite variety of forms. Once submitted, each book is assigned a call number and becomes a permanent part of the library. You can view the growing library online. Images of each book are available along with an audio recording of the artist explaining their work.

I created a book called "Cookie". It is a mixed media work that includes encaustic wax, paint, human hair, cookie cutters, an old night gown, and text from romance novels and sugar cookie recipes. This form was fueled by observations of cultural descriptions and definitions of love - feeling that we constantly bombarded with messages about what love is and what form it should take. Please take a look.

The current installation of "Lets Talk About Love Baby" is on display in St. Louis at the Craft Alliance now until April 24th.

This Thursday is special...

...if only because I have finally started this blog. It has been on my list of "studio goals" for months now. What do I expect from this blog? Nothing really. I guess I hope for community, exposure, conversation, inspiration...who knows?

For my first post, I am sharing my newest work, "Dream House". It came about in an accidental way. The pillow is made burlap stiffened with Paverpol and the house is made of Creative Paper Clay. The surface layered with encaustic. I enjoy the simplicity of this piece...for me it says a lot and a little at the same time.