productive

feeling good about getting a lot done recently. having some fun with it, too. i've actually finished some projects i sketched out last fall - hard to believe it. the queen of unfinished projects. i'm actually happy with how they turned out, too. and, taking things at an easy pace, managed not to mess anything up, even. getting a little fumble fingered lately - the fine motor skills are going slowly. but, i'll keep on creating as long as they keep working at all.

Little & Large looms. I spent the weekend finishing up the details of several projects. Adding clasps, repairing, polishing, etc. It's the most time I've gotten to spend on art in quite a while. I felt like I was on a roll. It was a great creating jag. I even got to start a few new things; including a bracelet I sketched out months ago before the SLK class in Seattle. I love planning the details, figuring out how to make things work, solving the problems. Sometimes I really care if the product doesn't come out exactly as planned, but other times I love the serendipity how the details happen.

dead from deadlines

Well, I did it.  I managed to get the sculptural and jewelry pieces for little and Large exhibit finished on time, photographed, and in.  And I also had some fun carrying the concept to some other pieces.  Now I just have to get those done in time for the gallery delivery and I'm all set.  Dead tired, but all set....

The hardest part was having to come up with the artist statement about the relationship of the pieces.  I always have difficulty with those.  The pieces tend to come together of their own accord.  I don't always have any idea of what they mean.  Just that they happened. (although i still think i need to go back and take some engineering courses).  Planning out the locket was the hardest part.  Starting with a cardboard box meant a lot of consideration of how to make it sturdy enough to hold rivets and hold up over time.  A copper lining did it.

So, here they are.

Little & Large Looming

Well, I'm trying to get pieces ready for San Diego's little & LARGE extravaganza this summer, coinciding with the Calder Jewelry exhibit at the museum.  I'll be represented at the Colluseum Gallery on Kettner, showing my "dolls" (a.k.a. figurative sculptures) and jewelry.  Trying to get the jewelry piece for the show brochure finished (the doll is done) and some other pieces for the gallery.  And, yeah, still got my day job.  Too busy.

I was away for 4 days, going to my daughter's college graduation, and when I came home I forgot where I had put a whole tray of pieces.  PANIC!

But I did find them.  Today, of course, was one of those days when nothing I touch went smoothly.  Made jump rings to join a bracelet.  The copper were too big and too lightweight.  So, I did them smaller and in a heavier gauge metal.  Too small and too heavy.  Ok, heavy gauge, larger...holes in the bracelet pieces too small.  So, tomorrow, when the sun shines, I'll head out to the drill.  Maybe it won't be one of those days!

one more down

Ahhh, the joy of finishing another project.  I love when something actually turns out right. I'm quite pleased with the newest member.  She's ready in time for the Big & little show.  I'm going to look at the gallery space on Friday.  Next on the table in the jewelry piece for the show.  I got it started today, but ran out of steam.  Well, next weekend is another day.

publish or perish

The new issue of Art Doll Quarterly came in the mail yesterday.  They did a really nice job with photographing my doll - "grounded."  They shot her nicely, and did a full page of close-ups.  It was nice to see.  You need a 'feel good' kind of day periodically.

Here's one of the pictures Marie shot. She lost her head feather on the way home.  I'll have to fix her.  One more thing on my messy studio desk.

been away

Well, it's been too long since I last posted, and with no better excuse than just plain being busy.  Gotta get rid of this day job thing.  But then I suppose I'd also have to get rid of eating and other unimportant bills.

Fabulously enough I have gotten some time for art the past couple of weeks, including a good start (and almost a finish) on my figurative sculpture for the BIG & little show here in San Diego.

And, even more fabulously, Marie Segal came by on Friday with her magic camera and took some great photos.  She's still working on them, but here's one of a necklace I posted a couple of months ago that shows just how much better she is at this than I am.

Thanks, Marie!

Thanks, too, to Cassy for her vote of confidence.