Formidable Mounts...

In a sometimes dangerous and scary world, it it is often prudent to align oneself with a formidable companion.

My wildwood and waterdwelling waifs wisely select loyal mounts that assist them in safely and confidently traversing their lands or waters. Though training some can be difficult, the results are more than worth the effort.

Below are photos of such a underwater creature... in its infancy of development.  It is currently a little over 14 inches long from jaws to tail. It has a very sturdy paper mache body.

I have quite a lot of work to do to complete it, but I am really pleased with my progress so far...

Found-Wood Nymphs

I find the texture of aged wood appealing.  And so I've decided to use those natural forms in the creation of woodland figures or nymphs.

I have almost completed one figure and am working on several more. They are made of carved wood, paperclay and copper.

Take a peek!

Assembled



Head, leafy mantle/shoulders, torso.



Her head can be turned left and right...



Ready to ship...



She has come to life! SOLD

She has come a long way from her earliest incarnations
 when she was little more than an idea...

Page down to earlier posts to see her beginnings.

  

Art Doll Update: Wood/Deer Nymph



Adding texture




A little more deerlike...





Added a knobbyness to
antler attachment points




Back of head--
some nice texture



Wood/Deer Nymph Update

More recent photos...

Head with ears and "horns".



Enhanced with a digital pencil option... just for fun.



Enhanced with a digital watercolor option...

After playing with the digital image in Paint... a bit too girly!

Wood/Deer Nymph and Cat Art Dolls

I prefer to work on a tile or piece of granite.
It is easy to clean and can take the heat if I decide to solder or use a heat gun.

I've just started to experiment making eyes for art dolls. My first attempts were pretty convincing. I found that if I began a figure with a pair of eyes in place, my imagination would take off more freely and I could bring the creature to life more quickly.



Making eyes.
The razor blade gives an idea of the size of these little creations.



I've always wanted to make a Deer Girl or Woman. (I am fascinated by Charles de Lint's world of urban fantasy populated with humans and shapechangers who often lead a double life.)

I imagine her a combination of wood nymph, forest spirit and deer child. (Horned humans and figures have always been one of my interests.) I'm working on one on of these forest manifestations now, and I have completed the torso and much of the head, which you can get a sneak peak of here.

I work in Creative Paperclay, natural clays, plaster (mostly to add support/structure), Fimo and Sculpey.



Frightened or inqusitive?



Her torso: natural clay drizzled with plaster.

I am still imagining the many ways I can finish her, from glazes to fabrics and leaves... to wood and other natural accents. My mind is always working...



I've also begun an anthropomorphic cat figure and have ideas for several other creatures.

Beginnings...

An Obsession with Hands



It all began with this pair...



I guess it's no surprise that someone who often works with their hands might find them of interest.

The truth is, I've never stopped being interested in dolls. I have a collection of Barbies. I love perusing listings of art dolls on line and have read more than a lion's share of books about making them. I have fallen in love with antique dolls and can't pass an opportunity to handle the often creepy but intriguing metal doll molds or vintage doll parts.

So the next logical stepwas to create dolls of my own. Hence my foray into making hands. Small hands.  Hands that look a hundred years old. Talisman hands. Relics. And symbolic hands.



Juliet Hand with Leather Wristlet and Jewel





Hand with Steel & Semiprecious Stones



Copper Orb Necklace

I made this piece this past week as a Mother's Day gift. I cut the discs for the orbs from a solid sheet of copper, sanded, hammered and formed them. Half of the assymetrical chain was cut from copper wire and soldered. The darker solid chain is representative of my mother's experience and age. The soldered one reflects my interested in the creative. Together they join to support the protected gold heart within the orb, the tough hammered exterior of which is peeled back to reveal the glowing treasured heart within.

I was pleased with the final outcome--and the recipient was delighted as well.


This design is a keeper!

Closeup