The Witching Hour Is Coming Upon Us!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

ArT DoLL QuArTerly

    My fellow Cloth & Clay artist friends have me excited about the next challenge in Art Doll Quarterly.  The challenge is to create a shelf sitter.  I'm busy conjuring up ideas and materials!  I'll post  WIP pics soon!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Splatterings

     New goals and new directions are inspiring and invigorating for me!! I am now returning to my watercolor world.
     I am currently working on watercolors of my acreage.  I love the rural landscape and my goal is to capture my feelings about my Iowa world.  I am pleased with my first painting of my kitchen porch.  But have been hesitant about its finishing touches!
     I will still be creating art dolls but primarily just for  ART DOLL QUARTERLY magazine challenges and for my own collections!!  While I’m still teaching full time, it is hard for me to find the time for creating in 3D and 2D at the same time!
     I have always loved Andrew Wyeth’s work and hope to share the love of my farm as he was able to share his love of Kuerner’s farm.
     Another goal of mine is to travel back to Chagrin Falls and relive my childhood memories by painting scenes of my hometown.  I will also be returning to the Outer Banks where my family used to vacation each summer.  I yearn to paint the sea and cottages.
     Well, enough ramblings on my inner world.  I will post some paintings and dolls soon - Lori

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

MetAmOrphosis



Metamorphosis
by May Sarton (May 3, 1912 - July 16, 1995)
Always it happens when we are not there -
The tree leaps up alive into the air,
Small open parasols of Chinese green
Wave on each twig. But who has ever seen
The latch sprung, the bud as it burst?
Spring always manages to get there first.

These were the words that inspired me when I created my bottle doll Metamorphosis.  I wanted to capture the feeling of my fairy emerging from the bottle as a bud opens in the spring.   We see the latch sprung on the birdcage as Metamorphosis looks up into the air to view the bird’s flight.

Metamorphosis is created from an old pink Key wine bottle.  She is created from paper clay which was sculpted directly onto the top of the wine bottle.  Her paper clay arms were wired on. Her hair is created from braiding a knitting yarn with a metallic fleck. Her headpiece is created from flowers and netting cut from a woman’s vintage Easter bonnet.
     Her skirt is fashioned from an old collar. She sits among paper twigs and buds.  




Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Metamorphosis-W.I.P.

IDEAS NEEDED!  This is where I'm at.  I need ideas for what she should hold.  I do have ideas  for  her dress.

Metamorphosis-WIP

     A big thanks to Daryle Cook on the Cloth & Clay site for the inspiration to get back to work on the ART DOLL QUARTERLY bottle doll challenge!  I've really been enjoying my freedom this summer but I'm happy to be working again on this piece.  This is where I'm at now. -Lori

Friday, July 22, 2011

Additional Pics of Work Published in ART DOLL QUARTERLY Autumn 2011






I am delighted to have two pieces in the Autumn issue of Art Doll Quarterly.  My Hecate the Gourd Witch is on page 72 and The Boogiewoman (created by Kathy & I together) is on page 115.  It's GREAT to have fellow Cloth and Clay Artist Friends Daryle Cook (page 65) and Lorrie Rios' (page 72) artwork in this issue!!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Metamorphosis



     I've been asked to record a work while it is in process.  I will do my best but I tend to work close to deadlines!  I have a piece I am currently working on which I have titled Metamorphosis.  It is a fairy emerging from a bottle.  My goal is to take photos and post pics as I go along.  But we all know how best intentions are!
     I thought of this poem by May Sarton as I was working on my piece the other day...-Lori





Metamorphosis by May Sarton


Metamorphosis
by May Sarton (May 3, 1912 - July 16, 1995)

Always it happens when we are not there -
The tree leaps up alive into the air,
Small open parasols of Chinese green
Wave on each twig. But who has ever seen
The latch sprung, the bud as it burst?
Spring always manages to get there first.

Lovers of wind, who will have been aware
Of a faint stirring in the empty air,
Look up one day through a dissolving screen
To find no star, but this multiplied green,
Shadow on shadow, singing sweet and clear.
Listen, lovers of wind, the leaves are here!

Blossom the Duck

Blossom the Duck
April Showers Bring May Flowers-PMA Team Challenge

Blossom, Paper Mache Artisans Team Web Show Challenge

April Showers Bring May Flowers was the theme for our Feb. 13th PMA challenge.  Blossom  our antiqued paper mache duck sets her umbrella down now that the April showers are over and her umbrella is full of May flowers.  Blossom stands on a vintage kitchen strainer.  Her umbrella is full of  vintage millinery flowers.  Check out our etsy shop for more details www.careysquirks.etsy.com

Etsy Treasury

Etsy Treasury
We are pleased to have Blossom receive a little attention!

The Boogey Man

The Boogey Man dances upon vintage organ keys as he celebrates his escape from the Autumn Harvest! He is constructed from paper mache on a wire armature. He wears vintage crepe pants and a hat decorated with vintage ribbon and tinsel. He was created for the Paper Mache Artisans' Webshow and may be purchased at

YIKES...you caught me in the process of dressing.

YIKES...you caught me in the process of dressing.
The witch's body is added and ready for clothing!

Bob & Candy Corn Man

Bob & Candy Corn Man
Bob is always right there to lend a paw when needed...

Our Cats

Our Cats
The cats are getting anxious for Halloween

HALLOWEEN HOUSES FOR OUR TEXAS FRIEND DEE

HALLOWEEN HOUSES FOR OUR TEXAS FRIEND DEE

One of my Top Hat Chickens

One of my Top Hat Chickens
She refuses to go in the hen house but would rather roost in the tree outside of the hen house.

THE STUDIO

THE STUDIO
WE ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE CLUTTERED!

THE CROWS MARCH ON!

THE CROWS MARCH ON!

The Crows are gathering for Galena!

The Crows are gathering for Galena!

Treasures Are A Waitin' in Galena!

Treasures Are A Waitin' in Galena!

POTIONS ARE BREWING!

POTIONS ARE BREWING!

Blimey Bearded Bill

Blimey Bearded Bill
Blimey Bearded Bill has been purchased. Many of our pirates were sold in Galena as the Pirates are the High School Mascot!

VINTAGE INSPIRATION

Our Gingerbread Houses

Our Gingerbread Houses

Will You Be My Valentine?

Will You Be My Valentine?
Back view

He loves me, he loves me not...

He loves me, he loves me not...

We have been working on a variety of  "putz" like houses for a custom order  on etsy.  We really enjoyed the process.  Houses appeared everywhere in the studio!


Thatcher

Thatcher

Jack Frost and Jack

Jack Frost and Jack
This was created as a tribute to our dearly loved Bassett Hound, Jack who passed away Sept. 2008 of congestive heart failure. Jack, we miss you.

Jack & Jack

Jack & Jack
Jack & Jack- PMA Winter Wonderland Challenge