Well That Didn't Go as Planned...

So 2020... WTF

This year started off OK. My mom managed to get through the first holiday without my Dad and then we go through the anniversary of his death in early January. Sounds sad but it was a healing time for my family.

In February my hubby and our 2 best friends went to the Turks and Caicos islands for an amazing vacation. It was wonderful. Covid-19 - then known as the Corona Virus was in China, we were screened at every airport and honestly didn't think too much about it afterwards.

Then came March. The word Pandemic was tossed out there and things started to get real!!

I have been working from home since 3/17. My state has less than 3500 case so far. Most of those being in Las Vegas. I know that will rise. Our local hospitals are transforming levels of the parking garage into hospital rooms. It is scary and amazing. I am hoping that they are preparing for the worst and it doesn't happen. Yes, I am forever an optimist.

Creatively, I have been pretty busy during this time of Social Distancing. Remember that mermaid I started years ago, like many, many years ago...

Yeah, this one

Well she has a face and a base. I hope to finish her this weekend. Here is where she is now.

 

Yes, she is rough and her neck broke, I didn't think about the weight of the added clay on the neck armature when I hung her up to cool after baking. It's OK, I'll fix that when I add her arms, back and hips. :0) She's got a snarky expression but I love it. Not sure what color hair yet, I'll find out this weekend.

The base is not finished. See that post sticking out the front. That will be apoxied into place with Apoxie Sculpt and then bent so that when my mermaid is attached she appears to be reaching towards the shell. There will be other decorations on it as well. Should be fun.

I'm also working on some 1/12 scale dollhouse dolls. Dollhouses are one of my first loves and I am excited to start working in that size. Here is a picture of the armatures.

and here is a picture of the 2 mm eyes that I made to go on those tine dollhouse armatures! These made my eyes blur as I was making them. So tiny. That white tile in the background is a 4 x 4 inch tile.

2mm Eye Sets

2 mm Eyes complete

Close Up 2 mm eyes

There is more. I'll share some updated island pics, a couple more zombies and other sculptures and more. 

Please stay safe and healthy!! 

D

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful celebration last night. We had a very quiet evening since my guy had to be at work at 4:30 am - ouch!

I am still here and only have a few goals for 2020:

1) blog more - Yes, I said it!
2) create
3) enjoy
4) travel

I figure all of these will make my life richer.

I hope your 2020 is blessed with art, love and laughter

D

2019 Zombie Swap

This swap was fun and super challenging. I had to make a zombie that was 5 inches tall or less. 

 First thing I had to do was make tiny zombie eyes. These are the smallest eyes I have ever made and I was very happy with them.

Next came a tiny armature and sculpting a small zombie

I am really happy with her. It was tough to send her to her new home!

I did end up making her a pretty coffin to sleep in. I know she isn't a vampire but she is sort of the un-dead. 

I hope my swap partner likes her as much as I do :0)

Please excuse any typos... I broke my finger this morning and typing is a little rough today!

2019 Annual Zombie Swap - Mini Zombies

I am so excite to be a part of this swap every year. This year's theme is mini zombies, They have to be 5 or less inches tall. 

I am slowly getting back to my art. I've been cleaning the studio so that I can actually work in there and have made significant progress. Now that things are finally slowing down I see some studio time in my near future!

Thanks for hanging in here with me

Debbie

Life Update

Greetings my friends,

It's been a busy year. I finished my Master's, my son graduated from POST academy (Peace Officer) and my mom has been taking care of two homes since my dad passed.

I hosted my friend's 50th birthday gala.

I went to New York for my dad's memorial service and then on to help my mom - sort of... she really doesn't need my help but liked my visit. While in NY my hubby and I were able to visit Central Park and see the Broadway show the Prom. We also visited Caroline's comedy club and shopped on 5th ave - way too expensive for my budget!

AND...I just returned from my annual sculpting retreat which resulted in my goblin finally getting a body!!! I'm working on costuming now.

Things will slow down by mid July so I plan to be back here blogging then!

Thanks for stopping by.

D

Turks and Caicos

I just got back from the Turks and Caicos. What an amazing place. The people were wonderful, the scenery is stunning and the rum flows freely. My parents have been going to the Turks and Caicos' island of Providenciales for over 20 years and it was one of my dad's favorite places. It was nice to see the island he loved. 

While talking to one of the long-time resort staff who knew my dad, I discovered that he used to go feed the puppies at the wild dog rescue facility. We managed to get in a quick visit to the shelter, the pups are beautiful and available for adoption to US residents.

Here are a few pictures from our trip. 

We stayed in my parent's time-share at the Alexandra resort. Their unit overlooks the ocean and the first morning we woke to the sound of the waves. Here is a picture from the HUGE balcony.

Balcony View

The resort also offers bicycles for their guests to use. They were lined up in the parking area. We rented a car for the week so did not use them but next time (there will be a next time) we will check them out.

Ready to Ride

We visited the Turks Head brewery and tried a sample of each of the 8 beers they had on tap. They had a really good mix, John and I each found a favorite.

Local Brew

 We did a snorkeling tour and saw a 5' reef shark. Our guide swam down towards it and it turned and swam right at me, I am not sure who was more surprised, me or the shark. Fortunately reef sharks are not aggressive :)

SHARK!

We also learned about the Queen Conch, a major food source on the island. I tried conch ceviche, curried conch, and conch fritters and I liked them all. Below is a conch in its shell. I brought two shells home for mermaid stands. I can't wait to get started on the mermaids for my shells.

Queen Conch

Overall it was an amazing trip. We did a lot but were also able to relax. It was the first vacation I've had where I came back refreshed instead of exhausted. We have already started planning our return trip next year.

Now that I am home and finished with my degree, I am looking forward to sculpting again!! Stay tuned for updates on the mermaids I'll be making for the conch shells, the house elf I am getting ready to finish and my battle troll, an unexpected sculpture that started out as something to practice my painting skills on and ended up as someone who is demanding a body.

Something to Look Forward to

Photo by Rian Castillo

In February, we are heading to the Turks and Caicos Islands. This is one of my Dad's favorite places and I am looking forward to spending time in a place the he loved. I am hoping to be done (or at least close to being done) with my Master's program. I am only a capstone project away from my master's  degree and the end is in sight!!

I am taking the week in the Turks and Caicos off. No school. No studying, No Work! I promise to share pictures of our adventures.

D