Zombie Cinderella Costume - Unlikely Source

I love to costume my dolls. It takes me forever because I want everything just right. I get hung up on the size of the print on the fabric, the way it drapes, texture... I drive myself crazy.

Which is why I enjoy contests, classes and challenges. I don't have time to overthink. I just have to move forward.

Since the Haunted Fairy Tale challenge is due by March 15th and I have a tough class to finish and a trip to So Cal to see my man before then, I do not have time to waste.

Imagine my delight when I was at my local thrift store and found this darling dress:

It is just perfect for my sculpture. Not as it is of course, but the fabric. The great thing about the size of art that I work in is that I can take a child's dress and make 3 or 4 costumes out of it for my sculptures.

This little dress has several layers of fabric, each one different. I can't wait to show you what I do with this :0) It looks more "blue" in person.

Outer Skirt

Under Skirts

Ireland... Here I Come

Dublin

I can't wait!! Soon we'll be heading to Ireland and Scotland. We'll be spending a few days in Dublin, Ireland and then a few in Edinburgh, Scotland. We are traveling with our son and his best friend who both just graduated from High School as well as our friends (my son's friend's parents:-). 

This is a graduation present for the boys and for all of us. These are both the baby of the family and we are celebrating! Finding someone I know and trust to agree to stay at the house and watch my dogs was challenging but thankfully my babies will have someone there to care for them. (Whew!) 

We'll be exploring Dublin and the surrounding area as well as visiting 

Inverness, Loch Ness and Rosslyn Chapel. 

I have discovered that I have family in Roscommon. 

My mother's family (both sides) are from Ireland and several still live there.

Here is a place I'd like to see from Roscommon:

McDermott Castle, Castle Island, Lough Key

Click on the Picture to be taken 

to a pictorial article on beautiful castles

Check back soon for pictures. I can't wait to see how these countries influence my art. I plan on visiting second hand shops if possible. Last time I was in Ireland I found a single panel of an antique lace curtain in a thrift store - I brought it home and used the lace on several dolls. There is nothing like antique lace when costuming a doll. I'm hoping to bring back more treasures this trip.

Petaluma Doll Show Update

 

Greetings, I am a little awe struck. Last week I received the official postcard advertisement for the Petaluma Doll show. My name is not on the postcard as I am included in the "additional juried artists" but when I submitted my work I had no idea the scope of artists that would be invited.

I have taken several classes from both Wendy and Toby Froud and their skill, love of teaching and overall love of the doll as an artistic medium is really what got me hooked on sculpting. I knew they were invited artists. Christine Shively and Linda Yaxley are  friends of mine and their work is stunning, I knew they would be there as well. I have taken classes from Kate Church and will be taking another one from her in September, she is another artist that I enjoy and have worked with personally and I knew she would be there.

With all that said, I had no idea how many other artists that I admire were included in this show! Lisa Renner, EJ Taylor, Elinor Peace Baily and Marilyn Radzat (to name just a few) are all artists whose work inspires me. I can not even begin to express how excited I am about just going to this show. The fact that my work is going to be included in the show just makes my whole year!

Getting into the show has been a highlight of my sculpting career. I feel validated and I am inspired to continue to work and grow my art. Stay tuned for some new works in progress!

Thanks for stopping by,

Debbie

Beautiful Weekend by the Bay

Sunset in the Sierra Nevada Mountains

We are spending Valentines weekend in San Francisco. It has been fabulous so far! I'll be back in the studio on Monday.

Dinner with a view in Sausalito

Fishermen's Wharf

I'm enjoying my time in the city, hit up a local art supply store and have been getting lots of inspiration for my sculpture concept for the show!

Thanks for stopping by :0)

Debbie

Back in the Studio!

I am starting to gear up for the McQueen Craft fair this October and I've been busy in the studio making Steampunk fairy doors and glittered ornaments. This year I'll have 4 different varieties of glittered ornaments and lots of different fairy doors, even some Lucky Leprechaun doors.

Here is a peek at my current work space - so much fun!

It is so nice to be working with clay again. While I was in San Francisco I saw this beautiful church and it has inspired some of my other Fairy doors - you'll get to see them soon.

Aren't those doors amazing! I love the color, the detail, the way they are set into the building, everything about them is inspiring!

If you haven't had a chance to stop by my Mad Tea Party you can see it here. I am giving a set of Wonderland inspired, embroidered (by me) tea towels away next weekend so be sure to stop in and leave me a comment!

Thanks for stopping by!

Santa Fe, New Mexico - WOW

At Casa Chimayo, Santa Fe, New Mexico

I have been really busy since my last post. I went to New Mexico with one of my best friends from school - we were born on the same day, in the same hospital and met in 6th grade - we've been friends ever since, I spent a long weekend in Portola, California with my local friends for an artist's retreat and this week my lovely daughter has been visiting from Florida. All in all it has been crazy, hectic fun!

I've also been doing a lot of thinking about life in general during my crazy summer, about things that are important to me, things that I want to do and things that I need to do. Sometimes you get complacent about life and work and art. That is where I've been and unfortunately that is no longer working! Soooo, over the next few months I'll be starting the next chapter of my life and while I am really nervous I am also super excited. I'll keep you posted as things develop :0)

This summer has been creatively inspiring and New Mexico was stunning. Santa Fe is such a lovely place. The scenery is breathtaking, the people friendly and the food - AMAZING! It is not surprising that I have gained about 10 pounds over the course of this summer LOL (Yes, I see lots of gym time in the near future) but it has been worth it!

Here are some of the views in Santa Fe that have rejuvenated my creative spirit

Chili Peppers 

Mountains

Farmer's Market

Rio Grande

Courtyard Window

'

Hummingbirds and Bee at the Black Mesa Winery

Saint Francis Cathedral

I have more pictures to share, lots of fun new projects from the studio and then some musings on the next chapter in my life, which I am heading towards much sooner than anticipated, it is scary and exciting all at the same time! I'll keep you posted!

Thanks for stopping by

Debbie

Inspiration...

Official Movie Poster

I went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie with my husband on Saturday. Of course Robert Downey Jr. is quite inspiring - the ladies will completely understand what I am saying here, but what really inspired me about this movie were the sets. I want to create something that resembles the aged, victorian, soot covered sets in this movie. The rich colors and textures, brick, leather, velvet, metal... I was so inspired by the visual aspects of this movie that I almost couldn't wait to get home to sketch some ideas. Now I am going to have to go see the movie again so I can actually watch it. But for now.... off to sketch out some more ideas.

Debbie