Make Overs

I have a few pieces that I thought were finished and then I did "make overs" on them and I am quite pleased with the results............. These were not mistakes that I fixed, just a continuation or expansion of an ideas.

Red Hat Vision = Make overs

What is this piece about?? Red Hat Visions

It's not about " a make-over in progress" ! Which is a comment that I received. But then again maybe it is? Before and after??
AFTER


BEFORE

Busy Bees love their new home!

Some people get "creep-ed out" by the bee photos? I am fascinated by the bees. So far I haven't gotten stung. Notice my husband is not wearing gloves.....

Check out this video. Too funny, Bee humor, I think we may be bee geeks...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWRz_-0B1qw

Elevator Speech

I have been working on my business plan for workshop I took on Artist Career Development. This is what I have for what they call an "Elevator Speech"...

I have played in the mud in one form or another for my entire life. Now I use mud in the form of clay to create sculpted ceramic figures. My figures engage the viewer by telling stories and provoking questions. I use simple gestures that communicate emotions and relationships. Inspired by the rich organic textures and colors found in nature I decorate the surfaces of each piece to complete a visual story that transcends words.

What is an "Elevator Speech"? It is a speech that will open up communication about your work. You must be able to do it quickly and engage the person you are speaking with to ask questions and instill a desire in them to see your work.

Bees are coming................

The Bees are coming. Preparing their new home........

What is an Archetype?

I've been listening to Caroline Myss and her audio book "The Lanquage of Archetypes". I find myself listening more to books these days than actual reading. My eyes are not as good and it is an efficient use of time while I am driving, working in the studio or exercising.

What is an archetype? Someone asked me that the other day when I was talking about my work.

From Wikipedia - An archetype is an original model of a person, ideal example, or a prototype after which others are copied, patterned, or emulated; a symbol universally recognized by all. In psychology, an archetype is a model of a person, personality, or behavior.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archetype

archetypal - representing or constituting an original type after which other similar things are patterned; "archetypal patterns"; "she was the prototypal .


So what does this have to do with my work as an artist? I use Archetypal images to create fictional or mythical characters that tell stories.

The shoes I make are not the character but they describe the personality or the behavior of the character that would wear them.

I have several ideas for new figures waiting to be. Before my studio is ready to begin more new work I must clear off the work table. Organizing my space is an important part of my process.

Started to work on three new sculptures. Both are figures. I am not sure who they are yet. Sometime I learn who they are while forming them, other times it happens after. The larger one I have the head formed and the smaller one will be another Beekeeper. This Beekeeper will be female and a bit larger than the last one. The other Beekeeper sold. Quite a few of the other photos in this blog are sold also.

Bird Nest Shoe

Another Shoe

Turquoise Blue Shoe

Resting Messanger

Here is another that I finished a while ago. She is headed out to a show with 20 other pieces.

Avian Girl/ Dreams of Flying

Well before I pack her up to go to a show I thought I should photograph the Avian Girl.

This is the unfired piece
Well I have her glazed and loaded into the kiln. The doves that you see in her hair in the previous photo are removable and will be added to the finished piece. Expect to fire this kiln in a few days... maybe she will be out for Christmas? She will also have some other mixed media surprises added. I have a few others I am working on too.

Some work in progress

I was just reviewing some of my work I created in Arthur Gonzalez workshop. I am quite happy with the life size bust that I have fired once already. Here she is back in my studio after I got her home and reworked some of the surfaces and hair. This photo is before I fired her. (Ignore the embarrassing mess of my studio in the background)

A few weeks ago I took a workshop with artist John Whipple. We explored painting and drawing. Way out of my comfort zone. As artists I believe that out work can become stale if we always stay with what is safe. It will be interesting to see what information filters into my own work after this interesting exploration.

John Whipple is such a giving and enthusiastic teacher. Besides being an amazing artist. If you are not familiar with his work and his wife's Lynne's work you need to check it out.
http://www.whippleart.com/John/john_index.htm

Finishing a sculpture for the Spindle Project http://www.thespindleproject.com/index.php

Yesterday made some Soles of my shoes............ Today I will work on the spindle project sculpture and another sculpture I started last week. Then lots of affirmation hearts.