Thanks Akira!!

Wow, it's been a hugely long hiatus from blogging but I am still here.  I've recently returned from a five day work shop hosted by FibresWest with the legendary Akira Blount.  I am speechless with gratitude at being able to attend this workshop.  I had become somewhat stuck with the dolls I was working on - just couldn't get past the limbs!!  I've also had my personal time severely reduced by my return to full time work in May. The dolls have suffered enormously as a result.  The opportunity to spend a whole week on a lovely campus in Bunbury having all of my domestic needs taken care of and being able to doll from 7am to 9pm was an invaluable boost to my soul.  Not to mention some profound self reflections on my future directions - enough of that though, needs a little more manifesting.  Here are some pics of the girl I completed during the workshop.  It was so wonderful to meet other enthusiastic doll artists, making dolls is usually done in solitude it was a nice change to work in such a social atmosphere - sharing ideas, tips and tricks.

Cheeky Chickens

Today bloke started clearing out the shearing shed, decades of really important stuff that might come in handy - as you can see. And what did he find in the corner?

Pina and Bruce Schwartz

I found a clip for this movie on Sweet Bestiary's blog - looks amazing!! I'm already thinking of how to use this as inspiration along with the puppetry of Bruce Schwartz to work on the ADO marionette challenge.  I have big beautiful ideas brewing.

Wrapped

This girl interrupted all my efforts to continue with the sculpted dolls, I think she is a moment of self reflection manifest in a doll.  She burst out of me in a matter of hours - I feel much better now.

Girls on their way and Akira Blount!

Here is my box full of girls, just busting to get out - I am dedicating the next week to them, oh joyous holidays.

I'm also sooo very excited I have been on a waiting list to participate in a 5 day Akira Blount workshop in October and yesterday I found out I'm in.  Yay!!!

Figure with feather wings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joy Ride

Imparting Wisdom

I'm still here!!

I'm still here and it's bitterly cold!!  I liken outside to a wind scoured tundra, I am on holidays however and have seven girls on the go.  I have moved production into the house to try and stay warm and dry limbs in the oven. I've been sidetracked this morning (not the first time) by the videos of this amazing Japanese BJD artist.

Arabel and the loss of time!

Oh such slow progress on all the things I apparently love to do yet have the greatest capacity to avoid!  Here is Arabel finished - she was for the ADO Forest Folk challenge.  Queen of all the dark and murky realms rarely seen by human eyes. 

I have mentioned before that I am a teacher and before my move to the farm I taught full time.  Since my move I've been unable to secure a position at the local school where I wanted to work - until now!!  I am back in the classsroom full time with a year 3/4 class.  This is such a mixed blessing whilst I am sooo excited to not travel such large distances to work (previously commuting to the city) and weekly seperation from my bloke  not to mention a fabulous group of kids and great colleagues. I now find that my head is again filled with other peoples children and not my own art work or doll making.  Perhaps this is my problem and not one solely associated with the nature of full time teaching.  I fear either because it means my time and head space are fairly full.  So I shall think that any new girls will be few and far between from here on in.  I'll continue to subdue the small part of my mind scolding me for not taking further opportunities to create when I wasn't working.