Art doll work in progress

I'm not sure how it happens. The clay gets warm in my hands and I begin to sculpt and form and without really thinking about it, the doll begins to be revealed. Yes, I have an original idea in my mind and maybe I even sketched it out but, the doll truly creates itself. 

The ideas flow as I work with the clay. This one in particular has evolved during the process. I didn't know at the beginning that she would end up becoming a wood sprite with a dress made of leaves.

Here she is; unfinished. I have yet to seal the clay and then the wonderful task of selecting the acrylic paints begins. I have a fondness for autumn. One, I love trees. Two, I love the colors, scents, and food of fall. 

I imagine her being a shy creature. She hides among the leaves of gold and ruby.

What should I name her?

One World One Heart

Hello Wonderful Readers, 
Welcome. I am really happy that you are here.
My name is Rebecca. 
I have the honor of being involved in Lisa's wonderful way of connecting bloggers. She began One World One Heart 5 years ago and this will be the fifth a final OWOH. It is a unique way of connecting bloggers from around the world. There is also the opportunity of winning a "door prize" at the end. Click on the One World One Heart photo above to go to Lisa's blog: A Whimsical Bohemian and discover all the other bloggers involved in this worldwide event.
I am a full time stay at home Mommy to our 8 year old boy, and 6 year old triplets (boy, girl, boy). 
I live in rural New England on 2 acres of woods and bog. I live with my Beloved of 20 years, our four children, one rescued dog, and three rescued cats.
I stay balanced with Bible reading each day and a faith in God.
I enjoy arts and crafts and work with clay to create one of a kind art dolls.
I also work with crystal and glass beads and make one of a kind light catchers. 
My life is busy and often unpredictable. I feel blessed to have time to be creative.
I enjoy world and folk music (Ravi Shankar, Lorena McKennit, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, John Doan, Rare Air), sushi, travel, the ocean, trees, road trips with our family, photography, finely illustrated children's books, used bookstores, paper arts, documentaries, collecting rocks, sea shells and sea glass, feathers and acorns. I enjoy preparing food for our family and the design of a well set table.
I am an RN and before our children were born, I worked in Pediatric Hospice care. 
Being a Mommy takes up most of my time but, I also co-lead a women's Bible study group each week, am part of a bread ministry and volunteer my time as a bereavement counselor with a regional multiples group.
I look forward to hearing from you. Please leave a comment, with your email address, for a chance to win one of my creations (one of my beaded light catchers-you get to chose which color you would like). Because this is the last year of One World One Heart, I will have a second and third prize too (one of a kind crystal beaded sun catcher). 
I will put all of your names in a hat at the end of OWOH and my Beloved will draw the winning name. 
The contest ends on February 17, 2011.
Please remember to leave your blog link in the comment box (or your email) so I have a way of notifying the winners.

These one of a kind light catchers are hand beaded by me. I hand select glass beads, lamp worked beads, Czech beads and unique beads and string seven of them on fine ribbon. On the bottom hangs a crystal prism.

Hang these in a sunlit window and you will enjoy rainbow kisses scattered throughout your home or creative space. Each one is unique. 

They are wonderful gifts. I have given them as bereavement gifts, birthday gifts, or friendship gifts. Enjoy!

Happy Blogging!

Rebecca 

xoxo

Art dolls (a work in progress)

As we are in the midst of winter and under a couple of feet of snow. I tend to stay in more and settle in front of our fireplace to blog, write, create or watch documentaries with my Beloved or join our children in coloring, reading, playing with Legos, or watching them play Wii. I have had more time to play with clay and am working on two art dolls at once.  I find inspiration from other blogger's work and here (and here too), Gritty Jane's site Cloth and Clay, art books and my own creative muse.  To begin, I usually sketch what I would like to create in clay.

Then I form a structure with foil and knead clay (I most often use Original Sculpey oven bake clay) until it is soft and form it around the foil structure.  This is when the magic begins. I work and smooth and form until I like what it is becoming.

Once I am satisfied with the doll, she goes on a pie tin and into a 275 degree Fahrenheit oven for 15 minutes per 1/4" of thickness.

After lightly sanding the baked doll, I will prep the surface with Liquitex Clear Gesso or Delta Ceramcoat All-Purpose Sealer.

While I am waiting for my doll to dry, I begin to think of design and colors.I use acrylic paints, pencils, and fine tipped Sharpies to complete the doll.  When these two are finished, I will post them. If you have any suggestions for the Frida doll or twisted hair doll (like theme or colors) I would love to hear from you. And if you leave a comment, would you please become a follower too?

Blessings and happiness in the midst of a busy, winter day.

One more thing, I have to thank my oldest sister Trese for introducing me to clay art dolls.  She came to visit three years ago and brought along some clay and taught me the basics. This "Senior Frog" and "Miss Kitty Kat" are the first sculptures I made. I have taken a few pottery classes in the past  but, I had no idea how much fun sculpting could be or that I could even do it. Thank you my sweet, talented sister.

Here is my first doll. 

lights (and my crystal light catchers)

The reason I began a blog was to showcase the beaded, crystal light catchers I make. I use hand-selected glass beads and the finest crystal prisms and string them on quality ribbon. Each light catcher is handmade and one of a kind. 

The idea came to me late one night about 3 years ago. I use seven hand selected fine beads (cloisonné, lamp worked, Czech, silver or gold foil, etc.) to represent the seven seen colors of the rainbow. I use fine, German crystal prisms.

These light catchers can be hung in sunny windows and the scatter rainbow circles throughout the room. They evoke a sense of calm and peace. They make great bereavement gifts or a just because gift for yourself or others.

There is a wonderful light shop in downtown Boston. It is a cozy, warm place tucked between a bookstore and piano showroom on Tremont Street.

The last time we were in Boston, we were drawn to this store and enjoyed looking at all the lighting options.

This crystal chandelier is beautifully positioned in their front window and I'm sure when sunlight streams in the color display is spectacular.

These photos were taken in Yellowstone at the Yellowstone Inn. If you've never been there, you must go. Yellowstone is magnificent and the Inn is unique and hospitable. 

The western theme is throughout.

If you are interested in my beaded light catchers, leave me a note. They are reasonably priced and one of a kind. 

My sister-in-law will be featuring them in her new shop in Park City, Utah.

my recent artistic endeavor ~ altered book

I was recently invited to take an altered book class with one of my friends. I had heard of this art form a while back and was interested in learning more. The class was held at a local stamp and paper shop. Our teacher has had years of fun and experience altering books. She had hardbound books ready for us to literally tear apart. I am an avid book reader and lover of fine books. It was not difficult for me to tear pages out of the pulp fiction sitting in front of me. The book was bound nicely but, the writer had much to be desired. The words were trash (the book I'm altering is titled Doctor Love; you get the idea)!

I had a wonderful time painting, inking, taping, tearing, and covering words and creating a completely different book.

I learned how to make a "peek-a-boo" window, a pop-up, and pockets.

We altered three pages in the class. Our instructor encouraged us to finish those three pages at home and to continue experimenting with our book. There are no rules in art!

 Using clip art, ink, acrylic paints, glue, torn pages from other books and stamps, I have enjoyed altering more pages.

Unfortunately, I am unable to download a lot of the altered pages I've completed but, you get the idea.

My friend Joy, and I hope to go to the second class in January. I think we'll learn how to make niches and drawers. Have you done altered books or collage before?

Have you heard of Maggie Taylor?

I, being an Alice in Wonderland fan, did an online search of the book and stumbled upon this amazing digital artist named Maggie Taylor. In my last blog post about her, I failed to include these images of her and some of her work. She graciously responded to an email I sent her. She wanted me to know that she has a fan site on Facebook too.

Do you like her work as much as I do?

Maggie Taylor's work

If you haven't already heard of Maggie Taylor, you are in for a treat. If you like photography, art, classic literature or altered art, you will like Maggie Taylor's work. She works with her photos and alters them in such a unique way. She uses Adobe Photoshop (which I have yet to master or even understand) and scanned objects and creates a final piece.

Her art evokes a dreamlike feeling. She says she creates what she would like to paint without using a lot of visible layers. Unlike collage art, she works at eliminating the layers.

I have the privilege of owning her version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I have poured over her photo-art time and time again and each time I notice a detail I had missed seeing before.

Her work is luxurious, tactile, familiar, ghostly and timeless. She is a talent rarely seen.
She lives in Florida with her husband, Jerry Uelsmann (an artist too).