Almost done

Making Progress...

A new subject...

Dogs can capture our hearts in a way we can't explain.  By the time I'm done with this portrait, I have a feeling I'm going to be caught; hook, line and sinker!

He looks like a man but I'll always see the little boy behind his eyes. 

My Grandsons!

There is something about observing the face of someone I love for long periods of time that makes me feel connected to them in a way I could never imagine.  This piece was created from a photograph my son took of the two cousins looking out the window.  I knew from the moment I saw the image that I had to translate it into my own.  

Some Collected Thoughts

* The ability to fly comes from the struggle to get off the ground

*  Regrets are created by missing the experience of 'what is' by longing for 'what was' or worrying about 'what might be'

*  Wisdom comes from the honest reflections of failed experiences

*  It takes COURAGE to break what is not broken, HEART to pick up the pieces and LOVE to create something new

*  TIME is an ILLUSION that cannot be BORROWED, GIVEN AWAY, OWNED, LOST, or WASTED

*  You will receive what you believe you already have

*  Constant thinking of "what was" is to miss "what is" and the opportunity to change "what will be"

*  A true sense of PURPOSE comes from having a dream, the ability to focus, and the willingness to work hard to make it a reality

*  Create incredible realities by dreaming of audacious possibilities

*  To wonder is to try on possibilities for size

*  Everything we create is simply a collection of our previous experiences

*  The true MAGICIAN believes in the ability to turn any negative experience into a positive outcome

*  Transformation takes place when WILL meets INGENUITY and TENACITY joins hands with DESIRE

*  Joy is available to anyone who feels worthy enough to experience it

*  The longer pride is chewed on, the harder it is to swallow.

Practice, Practice

How did THAT emerge?

In case you can't tell, you're looking at sheet that's draped over a large canvas. This technique is new to me.  I'm used to drawing with graphite and adding layers upon layers of pencil to achieve what I'm looking for....usually going from light to shadow. This is charcoal and requires me to look at the subject matter in an entirely different way. I'm supposed to see large sections of shadow and highlight without focusing on the details.  It's SO hard to do!  It feels like I'm going nowhere as I work on it and then my teacher has me step back and voila ....it comes off the page like magic!  I'd like to take credit for this because I really like the outcome but unfortunately, I'm not sure how it happened so I'm going to just say that somewhere deep inside, I must be able to see like an artist - it just hasn't hit my conscious mind yet:)

You may wonder why I'm posting these drawing studies on this blog about talking heads. They are some of the first projects for the drawing class I'm taking with Catherine Johnson, a wonderful artist/teacher here in Kirkland, WA. 

I loved to draw when I was young but really never spent a lot of time perfecting the craft. I learned bits and pieces in art school but I was mainly there to focus on commercial art not "fine" art. 

I find the studies Catherine assigns intriguing; often I feel my brain knows exactly what to do but my hand just won't cooperate! I also love that it forces me to "see" in a different way. As I study the contrast, I feel as if I can see into the object which in turn accesses a part of my brain I can't get to on my own.

I've been asked what I'm going to "do" with this new found activity. "Explore", I say, "and watch creativity unfold". My favorite pastime! 

Work on this piece has not been very consistent as I've had lots of other irons in the fire.  I keep her on my work table and every once in a while I sew a bead or two in place and play with the Shibori ribbon.  I love the way it looks like it's flying in the wind....so much so that I'm having a hard time sewing it in place!  I don't think she will be a brooch but rather a piece of wall art.  I'm kind of sad that I cut the ultra suede so small around her face as I'm thinking this may want to be a larger piece.  Hmmmm....I'm curious to see where this goes!

I've been slowly transitioning from the wearable art brooches to other art forms these past few months. I have no idea where it all will lead but have decided that it's time to start documenting the process. It may seem random ....clay face bowls....drawings from a class I'm taking....beaded pieces of jewelry or wall art but I have a feeling it will eventually all come together.  And if not, I'll have fun along the way!

The "eyes" have it...

I made this polymer face quite a long time ago but didn't quite know what to do with it as it's too large to use for a brooch. The eyes intrigue me and seem to dare me to "do something" with it.  Finally, I couldn't stand it any longer and just started beading. 

Spirits come in all sizes...

Exploring a new medium takes me back to uncertain places and feelings I'd sometimes like to forget. Lately, I find myself on auto-pilot while sculpting a polymer clay face for a bead embroidered brooch while thoughts of larger spirit entities swarm around in my head. I finally had to bite the bullet and sink my hands into wet clay. The test is in the firing...will it come back in one piece? It feels personal...trial by fire!

When to quit...

When a project is coming to a close, I often have to leave it alone for a couple of days in order to have a clear perspective.  When I've been working for hours at a time, I go down that rabbit hole and become so involved with the piece that I feel like it is me and I am it.  So much so, that I honestly can't see it objectively anymore.  I have learned over time and after some major mistakes, that it's best to take my time as I finish a piece and try different ideas rather than just stick with the plan.  Actually, my pieces don't have "a plan" but there's always that moment when I think I know the direction I'm going and I just plow ahead.  This is usually when I find out that the direction I've taken is a dead-end and no matter how I tweak it, it just isn't right.  I'm feeling happy with this new Goddess but only after ripping out a few different ideas first.  It chewed up some time but I think she's worth it!

I've been wanting to use these Keshi pearls for a very long time and this sweet face just begged to be surrounded by them.  Our trip to Maui in November, greatly influenced the color and flavor of the piece.  I see the ocean in her eyes and the hear the sound of the beach when I bead around her headdress.  

Alese...

The Light Bearer

…also known as the Soul Healer, has the ability to infuse her radiant light into the shadows allowing the healing process to begin.



(Alese in German means beautiful soul)

Amets...The Dream Weaver

A Basque name meaning "A Dream"

Amets has the ability to mix reality, desire and potential in order to create the dream the "dreamer" is ready to manifest

Made with polymer clay, glass seed beads, semi-precious stones, pearls and Shibori Ribbon.

Shibori Ribbon

While this piece has been completed for quite some time, I haven't been able to find the photos I took to show the progress until today.  Working with the ribbon added another dimension to the process and one I want to try again some time soon. 

Shibori Ribbon

I found a wonderful Shibori ribbon pin by Ann Ricotta soulshine-studio.com which I purchased on her Etsy site.  I was intrigued with the design and could easily see how I might be able to incorporate it into one of the wearable art brooches.  I started a new "Day Lady" pin and as I play with the ribbon, I like the way it creates unexpected opportunities as well as a bit of mystery as it surrounds the face.  Can't wait to give it a try once I finish embellishing her headdress!

Finally...

I've decided that my chief job as the artist is to "listen" carefully as I am constantly reminded that my ideas are only suggestions and the less I hold on to a specific outcome, the more likely I'll like the end result.