Persephone Returning from the Underworld

She said no to the dress.  She said that is not who she is.

This project went in a totally different direction.

She was Persephone, the Goddess of the Underworld. Captured by Hades, her mother, Demeter, cast a curse on the land.  No crops would grow until her daughter was returned to her.  After some deliberation,  Hades allows her to return to the world to bring us spring, and then she must return to him and fall begins.

Her upper arms are pressed birch leaves and her upper legs are covered in birch bark, representing the trees in the fall when she must return to the Underworld.

Her torso is covered in custom molded paper clay objects, and dried flowers, including lily of the valley, Goddess symbols for her, painted in pale green.  Her head is adorned in grape vine wreath with crystals, a gem associated with her.

Persephone can sit, stand on her own, but also has a custom stand.

Save

Save

Save

Save

 

Spring in the Woods- Spotted a New Elf

When was the last time you were in the woods and you were startled by a rustling in the undergrowth?  But when you look, nothing!

Myself, I think it would be an elf.  Small ones.  Not the human sized ones that modern movies have made famous, but the smaller ones of the old English countrysides.  You see, elves used to be small and light, like what we now think of as fairies.  Like that but without wings.

I’ve been working on my friend for a while now.  My second attempt at ball jointed dolls. She is only partially BJD.  I am glad that she can stand on her own.

Now for her costume and hair!

Check in next week when she might have something on!

Save

 

The Little Time Traveler

“So, what have you been doing?”  I’ve had that question a lot lately.  It’s a hard question to answer sometimes when you’re not busy with a job or activities that most people have to fill up their days.

I have been doing me.  Taking some time to assess where I am going.  Most people don’t have that luxury and I am grateful for it.  But enough of the philosophical.

I took a really nice online course for mixed media through the Graphics Fairy taught by Heather Tracy from Thicketworks.  I learned some great techniques that ended up helping me to complete a project that was sitting on the shelf for a few months nearly a year as I waited for the inspiration to complete it.

You might remember my little friend from a previous post, but now I have finished his little time machine.  I am so in love with this, but it will be submitted in my first “Call to Artists” in a couple of weeks with the Salem Arts Association.

Go to the link here to see the video of the time machine and discover the little surprise it has inside.

 

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

 

A Mouse in the House

My latest project was making a little mouse with ball joints (my first attempt) so that it is posable.  He is made from paper maché clay #CreativePaperclay on a wire armature. Although he is not perfect, I learned so much, and I think he is pretty cute!

He’s not quite French Country related, but I hope you don’t mind my little “Francois, the Little Time Keeper”

I still have work to do on his clock home which was found on the side of the road a few years ago, and is getting a makeover.

 

Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Snowmen are about the only thing I love about winter.  Here is my contribution to the snowman family.

Let It Snow

He is currently for sale on eBay until Christmas.  You can find him here.

 

It’s Fall! Pumpkin Jack Has Arrived!

Fall is here and what do you think?

Pumpkin Jack dances in

With a twinkle and a wink

Pumpkin Jack

One of my passions is making art dolls.  Jack’s design is based on vintage Halloween decorations, which I love.

My interest in doll making actually began with making Halloween props where I learned about proportions and techniques.

Jack is the culmination of those interests.

 

Jack wears an aubergine coat with tails and button accents and evergreen leotards.  With his gold woven belt, and ebony black gloves and boots, he makes a dashing fellow,

ready to put a smile on your face and steal your heart.

Jack was made using Creative Paper Clay on a wire and aluminum armature, hand painted with acrylic craft paints, sealed with Mod Podge for a durable finish, and mounted on a custom created base.

He is a one of a kind creation.  No molds were used or taken of this doll.  Signed and dated.

#CreativePaperclay