If Only You Could Tell Me

I've been a bit quiet on the creative front this week. Our poor little Molly has been ill! Molly is 10 years old. About 4 years ago she had hip surgery, a year later (almost to the day) she blew out her ACL requiring another surgery and since then has had countless ear and skin infections. This week it appears to be her liver. Poor baby! So we've been nursing her back to herself. She has been through so much, yet she is more than happy to go to the vet, greeting the staff with a snuggle and wag of the tail. She never complains. I wish she could speak words to me so I'd know where it hurts, but I guess in her own way she does speak to me with those big brown eyes. Oh, how we love our furry friends!

Feel the Rain

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your Life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

- Natasha Bedingfield

Acrylic over paper collage on canvas by Kitty D

Too Many Ideas / Not Enough Time

Have you ever had so many creative ideas swimming around in your head that you can't focus long enough to fish one out? That's what happens to me after I've finished creating a doll. I have so many ideas for the next doll, that I can't focus.

That's when I turn to painting. With my studio time limited as it is, working on a small painting takes my mind away from the dolls for a little while and allows me to slow the flow. Most of my paintings start with a collage of paper, creating the background for my subject. Not only does this allow me to use the closet of scrapbook paper I own but it also allows me to complete the painting faster since I don't have to worry about a background. Plus....it's fun! I just cut, or tear, the paper and arrange it on a board or canvas (depending on what's around) and paste it down with some soft gel medium. Next I'll give it a light top coat of the gel medium (haven't reached this step yet in the photo), then I'm ready to paint. More to follow on this project.

Hitting the Streets

I've finished my "Street Kids"! Yes! I'm so excited about them. From left is "Cat" (her necklace says 'Help Me'), "Lil' Ricky" (with his key around his neck), "JoJo" and "Dot" (in her found tutu). They are made of clay, with glass eyes and sport 100% upcycled clothing. (They are hanging out on a crown.) I'm going to drop them in my Etsy shop as soon as I get all the photos organized. Then I'll get started on the next group of Kids!

Totally Tangled Up

Today is studio day but I was completely sidetracked from my dolls. I got tangled up with a Zentangle. Wow! I love doing this. Totally gets the creative juices flowing and allows my brain to be in the moment! You must try it! Pick up Sandy Steen Bartholomew's book "Totally Tangled". It's so much fun! I think I'll use this as a background when I photograph my new dolls. First I need to put the pen down and get back to sewing the kids.

Waiting to be Heard

I know this will sound strange to some but sometimes my dolls tell me who they are and how they should be dressed or accessorized; even their names. Then there are times, like this, when they just look at me, waiting to be heard. They are so serene, aren't they?