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!

At last

At last! I walked outside and there it was at exactly the right spot. These were the photos I was hoping to take the other night when all my planning proved unsuccessful.

Chasing the moon

So last night I thought I would take some magnificent shots of the moon rising up through the twisted branches of the tree. I set out before sunset and had myself all sorted well in advance of moonrise. The sun set, the waiting became tiresome and the plaintive sound of lost lambs trying to find their mothers became very distracting. I feel the need to save errant lambs! Alas the moon was not forthcoming, well it was but I couldn't see it for the clouds duh. I shall try again next month.


We went for a walk around the place yesterday afternoon and found many treasures including these amazing seed pods. The shells of departed moths erupting from the soil. A funny looking fungi on a tree and some lovely nooks on a towering lemon scented gum. Imagine all of this just walking down the driveway - truly blessed.

Finally, I did manage to start on making hands with fingers, many hands later I came up with this one. I still don't have a pair, certainly an exercise in patience.

Today I have carted many litres of water to save the tree that has become my muse. It was a beautiful thing, dead and fallen in the middle of a paddock. A perfect spot for contemplation, branches offering a comfortable seat after a short and easy climb. It possessed, I suppose still does a stark and melancholic beauty that makes my heart sing. I am ash covered, lungs full up with smoke but I have managed to save its long reaching arms, the trunk is a white pile of ash. Not to worry this tragedy will inspire much.





These are my first dolls. I have been wanting to make dolls for a long time but full time work is such an inconvenience to the creative process. My head is free from the worry of other peoples children so I shall now be able to concentrate on constructing my own. Their hands are a bit large and ungainly, I am attempting fingers on the next one.