Almond blossoms and painted faces

This lady is taking the slow train to completion. I'm hoping as my skills develop so will my speed, at the moment I wait painstakingly at every step to see if it has worked or not. It is a lovely process though and I am happy with the way things are working.

The almond trees are in full blossom now, I pass them on my way to and from the toilet - a low hummmmm of many busy bees!!

New Doll

I'm so very excited!!  In Australia I was unable to easily find creative paperclay so I used another airdry clay for my first doll the Red Queen in the ADO challenge.  It was somewhat fiddly to work with but I am quite familiar with working with kiln fired clay so didn't think too much of it.  I ended up in a world of pain however, because as it dried it cracked, became brittle and wouldn't accept new clay for mending.  I destroyed the body in a fit of rage and ended up doing a cloth body instead.  I have since found an online shop in Australia that has creative paperclay and I received my first little expensive package, but am I ever thankful!!  It is sooo much better.  So here is my next little lady, not even nearly finished but on her way.

I had started out wanting a thin, lithe and willowy body, but my hands kept adding more so now she is a buxom lass.

My mother has recently returned from her annual holiday to Bali and brought back this fabulous doll.  Made by street kids, money raised from the sales helps the kids out.

Camping

In the days before I was frantically trying to finish the Red Queen for the ADO challenge Bloke and I managed to go camping for a few days (which is why it ended up a frantic finish).

We share a love of looking for fungi and wandering around taking photos using the super macro function, bums up, hunched down over a miniscule fungi.

It is winter here and I guess by many standards quite mild, but we still needed a roaring fire in the evenings.  Each morning we were greeted by a magical blanket of mist that covered the waterfall we camped by.

The chickens were laying well when we returned, so Bloke is able to indulge in his love for poached eggs.

Finally, I managed to not destroy the web of the little spider who spins above the chicken food.

Wonderland - ADO Blog Event

 She beckoned for her wig.  

Alas, her cruel tyranny had made all flee!

Thankyou so much for stopping by, be sure to check out the other participants ADO Wonderland Event.

Studio

Yesterday my lovely bloke and I cleared out my annexe which I have been using as a studio space.  Using very ineffectually I must admit.  There was a little track through to the door of the van and enough room on a small work surface to put a chopping board.  This is where I had been sculpting.  I was looking through the flyscreen thinking this has to change.  Of course it was very simple in the end.  Move everything out and start again.  Bloke had a great idea of using oil drums to support the old bunk bed I took out of the van to use as a work surface.  So now I have lots of room for all my bits and bobs!  I am ecstatically happy and have spent alot of time just sitting in there.

 

Still cluttered but that's just my style.

And a spot for treasures.

This is the Red Queen so far - better get a riggle on.  There has been quite a steep learning curve here but I am quite happy so far considering it is my first attempt at sculpting with airdry clay.  I am bumbling through the process of attaching the limbs with wire - I want them to be moveable.  Getting to sleep at night has become difficult - I fear my life is being taken over by dolls!

The Head

Here is my first airdry clay head, no sanding or finishing touches yet.  It's funny this is the head that comes out whenever I muck about with clay.  There is something a little sinister about it.  I shall have to feminise it somehow, I have decided to do the Queen of Hearts as my ADO challenge doll, so sinister is ok but this head has a little ways to go yet! 

How to avoid making dolls!!

Having said that I'm only working part-time (therefore having lots of time to do the things I want to do but don't because of lack of time) a heap of work came along to keep me from doing things.  I can't say no.  What a shame!  I have been struck down with a terrible sinus infection for the last few weeks as well.  Boo hoo and lots of pain.
I am beginning to suspect it has nothing at all to do with lack of time.  There is an existential crisis in there somewhere.
Anyway this girl is nearly finished, this is the first time I sculpted a face.  I was very happy with it until I got impatient and coloured in her face all clunky style with inappropriate materials. Smudged the eyebrows all over the joint.  I should have waited until I got some fineline pens - anyway she is brash!
I am looking forward to my next voyage into using paperclay.  Hopefully doing the ADO challenge will help me not to avoid making dolls!