Class Yearbook!
This year at Art & Soul, PDX, I had the good fortune to teach two lovely classes. In this post I present to you the Catrina class of 2018! What a wonderful group of students! They brought so much character and life to their Day of the Dead dolls! I am always amazed at the inventiveness and creativity, and I feel so inspired by my students.
Many, many thanks to Karen, Kim, Mary, Suzanne, Kathy, Rebecca, Amy, and Teresa! You ladies rock!
Kim's Catrina
Karen's Catrina - woo hoo!
With apologies - this post was supposed to be uploaded a long time ago but my computer was giving me fits. Take a look at this wonderfully expressive work!
Besties Eleanor and Frances came to take a doll class and were joined by Linda.
So fun to see everyone shining in their strengths and enjoying learning new things!
After the dolls were made, the photo shoot began. Frances and Eleanor had a blast posing their new dolls!
Linda's delightful doll - love her expression!
Guess who just happened to be dressed like Linda's doll?
Thanks for all the fun, Everyone!
Transitioning into Fall
The fall leaves that catch my attention so vibrantly and dance on the wind remind me of the flurry of activity that's been going on in the studio - so much that I barely have time to catch my breath and reflect! I will attempt to recap, ever so briefly, what I've been up to lately. But only briefly, because the next round of projects and deadlines already loom!
Right after participating in the Beatle's themed show at Cactus Gallery, I was invited to be the featured artist for the gallery's Dollmakers VI show! It was such an honor that I couldn't say no, so that meant I needed to hustle to create something new. Inspired by a Spanish story book I was reading, Diario Secret de Pulgarcito (Secret Diary of Tom Thumb), I created not one but two of my first ever wire armature figures. The author, Philippe Lechemeier, had written the most delightful description of an ominous character who had twice the normal number of teeth, and all of them sharp. This inspired me to sculpt the teeth, and then create the face that would hold them.
La chica de muchos dientes
I had so much fun creating all the details for this doll, right down to the finger nails. A cage-like structure served as the lower part of the figure's body, allowing for a full skirt, and a place to trap Pulgarcito, pobrecito!
hand detail
Pulgarcito y la chica de muchos dientes
Poor Pulgarcito!
Off they went to Los Angeles! Rob and I flew down (after a wonderful week in Minnesota during the BIG state fair!) for the opening. This was my first time to be the featured artist in a gallery! Sandra Mastroianni, the owner and curator, did such a wonderful job on the display. Such a thrill to see my name on the wall!
Some of the display at Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles
Several of my favorite dolls sold at the show, and so I must bid adieu to Camille, CeeCee, Sister Superior, and the Little Match Girl. I wish them well in their new homes!
I'll miss you, babies!
Up next, Part 2: Fun times in class!