Catching Up and Trying New Things

Where has the time gone? By looking at the date of my last post it appears that it has been much too long since I last posted!

Projects, health issues and family drama seems to pull me in all directions with the resulting chaos and a feeling of "what am I doing?" a continual journey!

I am an artist who creates cloth sculptures all hand sewn..and I also added Petite Couture to my business because I needed to find other ways to create when "Mother Nature" deemed what would be a good day or bad day. Bad days find me reaching for pain killers and the sitting and standing for extended time it takes to hand sew dolls has to be replaced by projects that can be sewn on the sewing machine instead.

Projects completed over the recent past include:
Dolls for Discworld exhibits
Tiny doll garments--20 outfits to fit 4" dolls ( a commissioned project)
A doll displayed at AFIC in Columbus, Ohio---a Steampunk doll
A Faery Wreath created for a display at a nearby bank---the display was named "Wall Flowers".
Numerous dresses for my Petite Couture line which are size 3 Toddler...to be worn by either My Size Barbie dolls, 36" tall dolls or actual Toddlers!
Several art dolls which were created for swaps with other doll artists.

And lastly..dreams of finally having a studio built were almost achieved.....land cleared and made level for the structure, plans chosen and a builder just waiting for the go ahead. I have the forms to apply for the building permit as well. The only thing standing in the way for my dreams to come true was funding. Funds that were set aside for the building project have been made not available due to the need to have home repairs done. I'm crushed!!! I want to stomp my feet and scream "NO---I have waited years for this---I have come so close---it can't be taken away---it's my turn to finally have something I need after "doing for others" for at least 30 years---something for Me---it's not fair...for me to put my wants and needs as secondary while I gave and gave of myself to make life easier for others--it was supposed to be my turn for happiness"...........but alas..my needs are set aside again. Don't misunderstand me.....repairs aren't a "non important" issue..but they are things that should have been done years ago----the funds were there but others (no names need mentioning) deemed that vehicles, TV's, satellite dishes, clothing, things for our grandchildren and one of our daughters--were where the funds went. I am not a spoiled child who is having a temper tantrum....I am someone who sees her life advancing into fewer years left in the future and many years behind me. My advancing years will be ones filled with painful days and decreasing mobility---not a maybe---several doctors have told me it is a fact due to my health issues. Is it wrong to seek something that will give me happiness in what years I do have left? Depressing? Perhaps...but after giving yourself to make others happy there comes a time when you ask yourself "when is it my turn?"

I am not ready to give up my dreams!!! I dream of a building with plenty of room to move about...with lots of study shelving to hold my supplies.....a place to "re-charge" my energies with no demands on my nerves, my body or my "inner child".....a place to be free to create with abandon.....my entire being needs this.

Faeries visit the Library

I currently have a display of faeries at the Canisteo Elementary School. My intent was to take a book and make it alive for the children to encourage them to read and use their own imaginations. These faeries are 4" tall..I used a body pattern by Cindee Moyer...my normal sculptures are in the range of 15" to 30"...something this tiny was a true challenge! Although the same pattern was used for all the bodies..none are exactly alike....embellishments, garments and even their "hair" differ. I used a photo of butterfly wings that was in a coloring book then painted them using watercolor pencils. I have told the children that these sculptures are Art and not Toys...never to be played with but to be admired and treasured because that's what people do with Art. One little girl told me the faeries talked to her.....my reply was well "they talk to me too!" The request for a new display is being considered...it was suggested I do "Alice in Wonderland"....I am seriously considering doing it.....but other promised projects have to be completed first.

Mary Jane Campbell Davis

Mary Jane was entered in the "Rocky Mountain Sew Festival/Denver Doll Artisans Art Nouveau Challenge recently..the fantastic news is that she was awarded a Blue Ribbon and Best Story Category! She took months to create due to extensive research and the fact that I hand sew all my sculptures. To be as authentic as possible I used antique and vintage materials that would have been used in the 1890's. Her "suit" is deep blue velvet lined with blue twill and embellished with black French lace and trims. To also follow tradition she wears 3 petticoats, a beaded corset, corset cover and bloomers. To compliment her suit I also created two tone high top lether boots, leather gloves, organza purse, parasol with a pewter Celtic motif and her fantastic hat that is adorned with peacock feathers and antique trims. The brooch she wears is an actual photo of the real Mary Jane Campbell Davis who was my Great Great Great Grandmother! Mary Jane was a decendant of Lord John Campbell of Scotland. Her husband was Benjamin Franklin Davis, a Civil War veteran, whose family was from Wales. Later family connections will include a decendant of the Royal Stuart's, Andrew Jackson, and the artistic Douw family of Holland. I started my genealogical research at age 12...who would have known that 40+ years later it would be honored by awards!

Rockin' in the parlor

and giving the dog a bone. Kicking back..check out the footwear..and this old lady seems happier than her pooch! Another entry at gallery show with the AC/DC theme.

Money Talks

BACK VIEW...this shows what his tricycle cart holds.

Money Talks

Some people have money to play with..I use play money for art! This is another sculpture created for the show....another one inspired by AC/DC.

Hells Belles

BACK VIEW