Lament

I have been thinking that perhaps I need to change my blog's title to the Teachers Lament, for I mourn the loss of my former life. It is a horror time of year for teachers - reporting, as are Mondays!!  I was going to write an incredibly witty diatribe about teaching but think I will refrain. I will say that it is one of the hardest, most stressful and time consuming jobs I have ever had, for many many reasons.  The rewards are becoming fewer and fewer and the demands greater and greater each year. I find myself constantly questioning my will to continue.
So a few things have been sustaining me over this time - walking, turning left onto the tree lined road that leads to the farm at the end of the day, watching the paddocks turn from green to brown and following the blogs of people doing what they love.  Jude Hill of Sprit Cloth is one of those, sustaining and indeed inspiring - thankyou. I have even started a small cloth of my own, I had forgotten the joy of hand stitching and how soothing it is to an anxious mind.

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.