Tooklet for my niece

time out to make a Tooklet for my niece

We are celebrating my niece Devon's birthday on Friday. My sister Sue and I are taking Devon out to lunch and then to Curl Up & Dye Salon for manicure/pedicure, make-up, color & cut. We also got her a few things from her wish list at the motorcycle shop she goes to and I made her this Tooklet. I hope Devon likes him!


Devon's favorite color combo is red and black. I only have a couple of red and black sections left.














This is the first tail I have tried to attach TO a monster...instead of inserting a tail into a hole and then using the tail to close up the hole.

365 Day 99

more plaster cloth!

Meth & Hot Dogs 2
I ended up needing to do one more layer on the neck area of 'Nipped before I went to bed last night. But here he is...sleeping/drying.








'Nipped sleeping/drying





New Project!
There is currently a display at Northville Square Mall (where Solid Grounds Coffeehouse is) that shows various projects from some sort of learning center for little kids. I don't remember exactly what the name is (if I see it again I will come back and edit this part). It reminds me of going to the science fair when I was a kid.

There are lots of tables with different examples of all sorts of activities they do at the learning center. It is really really great.

One of the displays has a long snake made out of paper tubes -- I think it has to do with recycling things for art projects. ANYway ... that inspired me to do my own Studio Snake. I go through a lot of various paper tubes: toilet paper, wrapping paper, paper towels, mailing tubes, etc. I usually recycle them but I want to do a ongoing long-term project that will allow me to keep adding to it and try out different paint combinations, embellishing techniques, etc. This project will also help me play with supplies and try stuff. Maybe I will start to ease into painting even??? Perhaps get to not hate/dread it so much??? Hmmmmm...

The kids' snake was plain paper tubes that they painted or glued things to. I am going to put layers of plaster cloth on mine. This is the basic shape in the first layer stage. I already have a bunch of ideas for embellishing the body sections. I am really excited about this!











Studio Snake: the beginning






Woot! Woot! Dept.
AND -- finally -- I think I came up with something I am happy with for Juana's very belated birthday present. This is a deliberately cryptic photo so that if she happens to see it, she won't be able to tell for sure what it is.




Juana's long-belated birthday present: the beginning

365 Day 13

I get my birthday off -- lots to do!

I am giving myself permission to not have to make anything or accomplish any studio progress today because it is my birthday.

We are having an Art-o-mat Welcoming Party (and my birthday party) at LIFT tonight from 7-10 p.m. Those wonderful folks made this super poster and put an ad in The MetroTimes, one of our local weekly entertainment newspapers.

I made little prize tags for each column in the Art-o-mat machine. And a couple of signs for use ON the machine.

I am putting together the prize packages and wrapping them up. I think I may do one raffle/give away, too.

I made sign up sheets for Arto-sessions.

I am picking up the mini cupcakes and spiral finger sandwiches for the party. LIFT is supplying the rest of the refreshments.

I'm going to take my camera, but I believe that my friend Jon will be taking photographs for me.

See -- it's not like I haven't been doing anything...just no time to make something today.

365 Day 1

Millicent Greason's Urban Artware is an art gallery and retail store featuring an eclectic mixture of one of a kind paintings and lovingly hand-crafted treasures. Specializing in the magical artwork of some of the Southeast's finest contemporary self-taught artists, Urban Artware is an oasis of color and inspiration. Intermingled throughout the gallery are wonderful finely crafted pieces, including metalwork, blown glass, pottery, woodwork, furniture and funky jewelry.
(description taken directly from website)

Winston-Salem is home to Artists in Cellophane and Art-o-mat. Millicent has an Art-o-mat machine at her gallery. I met her when I went to the Art-o-mat 10th Anniversary Swap Meet in 2007 and liked her instantly.

Patrick Harris is an artist local to Winston-Salem and is also an arto-artist. A few days ago he posted an invitation/call for art for an Elvis Birthday Artfest to be held at Urban Artware for the city's January Gallery Hop and also during the month of January.

I wanted to try and submit something for this show but wasn't sure I could get the piece done in time. I don't have many magazine images of Elvis...just this one, actually. It is from the movie "Blue Hawaii".

I put together a dimensional Animal People collage inside of a deep shadow box. I used a hound dog head and gathered a birthday cake and presents. I added a candle to the cake. Luckily, I also found a film reel and little paper parasol images. The dots in the background are shiny spangle/sequin things that add some color and remind me of Elvis.

I apologize for the poor quality of the photographs of the finished piece -- the glass wasn't removable. I think you can get an idea of how it looks, though.

I am happy with the way it turned out. I hope folks like it.