Puppet Theatre...Crackling to life

Here's a carved fellow, a work in progress. Lots more stain and depth will be added, to give him that aged patina I'm striving for. ....he started out as an old post

Here's the carving process, mark then carve, mark, then carve, to get his features just right. I'm not going for realism, just creepy clown fun.

He's layed out on the floor , as I design his torso and limbs....

Another piece I was working o this weekend, again after the carved face, I sketch out the rest of the body...It will act like a pattern that I'll trace onto wood, to cut out, then shape.

Here's some cut out pieces from found wood bits, this girl whom I call "Princess". Will be apart of the theatre performer's. In the April Show. Other characters will either be in a parade or "Side Show"

Alas I did get out of my art cave and see the light of day.

Here pictured L -R.

Are my daughter Nicole, niece Roma (visiting from Boise), my Mother, Roma (her namesake) & me. We all had the black thing going on, it apprently goes well with a grey Portland day.

Opening Night Highlights

So much fun to do a group show, and go to opening night. It's a little like Christmas, you never know what the other artists have come up with.My friend Tory snapped up this little dish, made by Kim Murton, too cute.

I got a little "red dot" love. My piece "Give a Dog a Bone" is going home with a dog lover. Or perhaps just bone lover?

Here's a shot of one of the walls,. Dayna's recycled tin birdie's to the right. And my flaming hearts on top. Guardino Gallery had a great crowd. Donna will have photos up on her blog, click the link to take a peek...

Look at these two cuties. Dayna with some flowers and Tory with said dish.

Chris Giffen, always display her pieces well.

A close up of my little hearts, they are wired to hang on a wall, with little messages

...and last but not least, we made a little head way in the remodel, today. Salvage beam is hung and rock fireplace is up. No chihuahua snuggled in front of the fireplace, yet.
Nighty night.

Valentine's PDX style~ Guardino Gallery

There are some great artist's this year! So many mediums to choose, everything from Pottery, Recycled Metal, Fabric, Paint and Woodcarving, by yours truly!

My flaming hearts are hand carved, & will have words burnt into the wood. I love the little messages. They are symbols for hopes and dreams, or promises made. To help heal a heart broken, by illness or love. To bring passion and love to your llife. They represent love healing and gratitude. I hope you can come by Guardino gallery, January 27 - February 20

Clean Studio Report...(finally)

A Clean Studio is a Happy Studio

I sure hope so, because I spent more time cleaning out the clutter, then I ever have.

There is a desk under there! With one deadline after the next, it was easy to let things pile up.

Another view of the "before" shot. Yikes, you could not even step inside. I took too throwing stuff in a heap! So with the encouragement, from a very special Art friend. I started......

With my " Puppet Theatre" coming up in May (gulp), I had to have a little room to move. In the midst of it , I couldn't resist stringing them up.

They really come to life when hung vertically. In the coming months I'll be building arms, legs and outfits, for their journey. The traveling troupe is still voting on a name....Stay tuned

Back to the studio. I finally hung lots of older art pieces, I've been meaning to hang for years. Most of the pieces on this wall were done by me.

Another view

Behold, my desk area...... The shelving is new, to display all the little things I collect and put up for inspiration.

The large bulletin board below, I made with a Homasote Board covered in burlap. I found the "How To" on the Apartment Therapy site HERE

While my Art Studio is hardly ready for it's close up. And doesn't have the space I want, to do large paintings . It does have high walls for display. So up, I go!