Thursday, December 15, 2011

A Painting to Share

Wow, I feel so guilty about neglecting this blog for over a month!  That tends to happen this time of year with the holidays rapidly approaching.  This year I'm trying to create a handmade gift for those on my list.  Throw in a couple holiday parties and before you know it time has slipped away.

Anyway I wanted to share with you the painting I created of our little Maggie...

I started with torn pieces of decorative paper.  Simply ripped them into squares and rectangles and attached them as a mosaic on the canvas (this one is 24 x 36) and attached with a gel medium.
Then, after it dried, I sketched the outline of Maggie and used a white Gesso to paint the basic shape.  I used the photo I took of her with her pumpkin as the model.


When that was dried, the fun started.  I painted the background using a wash of green, then added texture using some bubble wrap and an old credit card.  I had actually added a wash of blue on the top portion of the canvas but decided I didn't like it so I just tore up a bit more paper and covered it up.   I used liquid acrylics to layer in Maggie's fur and detail her features.


Finally, I added in some shading, again with liquid acrylics.


This was the largest painting I'd done to date.  It was a lot of fun!   

Have a happy day!

Monday, October 31, 2011

BOO Y'ALL!

Happy Halloween!

Hey, Maggie here!  This is my pumpkin!  Yup, it's mine!



Yesterday we carved my pumpkin.  Tried to make it look like me but I think it kinda looks like a cat!  Oh well, a cat is appropriate for today, isn't it?



We have another pumpkin to carve today to get ready for fun tonight.   This is my first Halloween so I'm really excited!  So have fun everyone!
Happy Halloween!  Love, Maggie!

BOO Y'ALL!

Monday, October 24, 2011

NEW - Gretchen and Kitty

This is my latest Pumpkinhead!  Well, she might be more of a squash, I think. 
Regardless, this is Gretchen with her little Kitty....


Gretchen is wearing her favorite little frock that her mom made for her.  She loves the big orange spots!


If you are wondering about the sly smile on Gretchen's face, it could be because she is secretly plotting how to paint Kitty black with big orange spots so she can match her favorite frock, but she knows she would get into big trouble if she did that!  Still.......


Gretchen is about 8 inches tall.  She is a semi-posable shelf sitter (cannot stand on her own).  She is purely sculpted with paperclay.  Her arms and legs are sculpted with polymer clay.  She is then painted and stained with professional liquid acrylics.  Her eyes are glass.

Gretchen and Kitty are available today in my Etsy shop


Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Autumn Colors


Living in the desert can be frustrating sometimes.  Autumn is my favorite time of year.  I'm so inspired by all the wonderful rich colors!  But when it's still over 100 degrees during the day, and you can't get out of town, you have to be a bit more creative when looking for that inspiration.



Leave it to Fry's Marketplace to give me some Autumn inspiration!  I so loved their display that I pulled out my iPhone and snapped some photos!  A mom with her two children saw me do that and was inspired to photograph her kids (much to the horror of her teenager) as if they were in a pumpkin patch!  


I just love the purple mums with the pumpkins!  Beautiful!  Thank you Fry's!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Pumpkinheads Have No Clothes!

I kept my promise to you, didn't I Pumpkinheads? 


I realize that you have no clothes but at least you have arms now, legs too!  Besides, since when do pumpkins wear clothes?  Hmmm....guess that would apply to your limbs too....and your eyes... 
Never mind, I'll get busy.

The only problem is that since I painted you, the fabric choices I had set aside won't work
so I'll have to dig through the stash first!

Not to worry, I'll get it done. 
Don't look at me like that!  I will!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Stop Looking At Me!

Yes, Pumpkinheads!  I see you sitting there on the kitchen counter waiting for your bodies
(not to mention your limbs)! 

I'm sorry!  I've slipped into "Kitty time" again and haven't addressed your "issues" lately! 

I know you watch me pass through the room, feed the dogs and cook dinner! 

Stop staring!  It's creepy!



I have your outfits picked out already!  Doesn't that count for something?

Okay, Okay!  I'm sorry!  I'll work with you today!  I promise!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Wonderful Review of an Inspired Bird

I was so excited and touched to have one of my inspired birds included in an Art Review by Alyice Edrich, The Dabbling Mum!  She describes how she purchased one of my birds and step by step of opening the package and a description of the piece.   You can read the full review at http://thedabblingmum.blogspot.com/search/label/Art%20Reviews  I've only posted a part below...

"September 12, 2011, posted on the 13th
Sometimes there are advantages to reading the art blogs of artists you admire… and on September 1st, I had one of those moments.

You see, Kitty D, of Pumpkinhead Studio (http://pumpkinheadstudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/take-flight-to-imagination.html), had just posted some gorgeous photos of her latest artwork (photos by the way that had me drooling for a new camera, or at the very least the background paper she was using!) and instantly, I knew I wanted that piece........

The tag reads, "Take Flight to the Imagination"…
What a perfect sentiment for someone who is ready to "take flight" herself…"

 
 
Reading this review was so fun!  Not just because it was about my work, but in general!  Alyice writes great reviews, adding in photos, building the anticipation then telling you where to find what she is reviewing.
 
Hop on over to Alyice's blog, http://www.thedabblingmum.blogspot.com/ where you will find reviews of art, books, music, food and much more.  You should also check out her website, http://www.thedabblingmum.com/ to see Alyice's beautiful art!
 
Thank you, Alyice!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

New Doll - Cathy

This is Cathy, perched in my little sideways rocker.  Cathy is a bit apprehensive about Halloween this year because she is certain that her big sister will smash her pumpkin again, and mom will make Cathy clean up the yucky mess! 


I'm not exactly sure what happened when I was creating Cathy, but her face came out completely different than my previous dolls.  Funny how that happens even though I used the same materials and sculpted her in the same manner.  Maybe it is just because of the expression on her face. 
A bit haunted, no?


Cathy's outfit is all hand-stitched so you can see tiny stitches.  The fabrics were chosen from scraps and tea stained.  Her hair is dyed mohair and her eyes are glass.



Cathy would like to send a warning out to everyone....protect your pumpkins this Halloween! 
It is very sad when they are smashed, not to mention yucky to clean up!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Oh so sweet!

I'm just so in LOVE with little Maggie!   I just can't help myself!  


Seriously!  Could you help yourself?


She has such an old soul!  It is hard not to love her!  

The good thing is that this little puppy is inspiring me to create some new dolls.  I've been working on some dog dolls but I think I'm going to make a little twist to them.  More to follow....that is if I can tear myself away from this little cutie!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Keeping Me Busy

Yes, I am still alive!  I regret that I haven't kept up with my blog of late, but I have a REALLY good excuse!  We adopted a new little love on September 4th!  Meet Maggie......


Maggie has such a wonderful story.  If you live in the Phoenix area you may have seen her story on the news.   I added the news video to my sidebar but I'll share the story with you...

June, 16, 2011 at approximately 10:00 p.m. it was still 108 degrees in Mesa.  A stray dog gave birth to a litter of 6 that evening in the yard of an abandonded house.  Knowing that it wasn't safe for her pups to be exposed to the heat for long, Momma left her pups, just hours old, and walked out to the middle of the street, where she sat and waited.  Several cars passed her but one nice couple stopped to help.  Momma led them up the driveway and into the yard directly to her puppies! 

This kind couple scooped up the puppies and the mom and took them home where they called the Animals Benefit Club (ABC) shelter.  ABC came out to pick up mom and all the pups the next morning.  The couple who rescued them will adopt the mom, Sophia.  We were fortunate enough to adopt Maggie.  She was with her mom a full 9 weeks and with her siblings for 11 weeks.

Animals Benefit Club (ABC) is a non-profit no-kill shelter.  If you would like to make a donation to this loving group and their four legged charges please do so on their website @ http://www.animalsbenefitclub.com/
They have recently made a deal with the bank whereby they can pay $100,000.00 to pay off their mortgage by the end of September.  This is just a fraction of their mortgage and would be a huge benefit to them.  It would ensure that they could continue caring for the many animals living there and continue to find loving, permanent homes for all.  Please help if you are able.

P.S.  Sorry this is so long, but one more thing....for those of you in the Phoenix area, as of last Friday, they still had 4 of Maggie's siblings!  They are really cute and if they are anything like Maggie, they would be a wonderful addition to your family! ;o)

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Embrace Your Youthful Heart

For some people, aging is a depressing thought.  Not for me.  I'm fine with getting older BUT that doesn't mean I have to give up my youthful heart and youthful attitude!  Those were my thoughts when I created this inspired bird.  This little guy lives in a tie-dyed world where birds wear peace signs and high-top sneakers with tie-dyed ribbons!   I think he might have flown over Woodstock!  (oops!  Did I just "age" myself?)

I hope you embrace your youthful heart today!




This inspired bird is available in my Etsy shop
www.pumpkinheadstudio.etsy.com

Friday, September 2, 2011

Bring your own sunshine!

When you live in a place where the sun never stops shining sometimes its best to just embrace it!  I did just that with this Inspired Bird:  Bring your own Sunshine.

"Sunshine" lives in a beautiful, happy world where birds wear high-top sneakers and sunhats with sunglasses!  Her positive, sunny personality follows her where ever she goes!

I hope you bring your own sunshine with you today!




"Sunshine" is available in my Etsy shop today @ www.pumpkinheadstudio.etsy.com

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Take Flight to the Imagination

I was looking for something small-ish to create during the long dry times of my full-sized art dolls.  One thing led to another and I started creating Inspired Birds.  He is sculpted from PaperClay and painted with artist acrylics and pastels then crackled for an aged look. 

This little guy lives in a beautiful, imaginative world where birds wear sneakers and caps with propellers.  His tag reads "Take Flight to the Imagination".

I hope he inspires you to visit your imagination today!






He will be available in my Etsy shop today....www.pumpkinheadstudio.etsy.com

SOLD!  Thank you Alyice!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Update on the Tutu Front!

If you saw my previous posting, my niece and I created a tutu for her the other night for an 80s party.  Although I hate to admit it, I was her age in the 80s so I was more than happy to help her out.  This is a photo of the finished product, all accessorized.  I must say the model makes it look fabulous!


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Tutu Anyone?

Last evening my niece and I made a tutu for an 80's theme party!  Then we decked it out with neon pink leggings, a denim jacket, purple pumps and crocheted fingerless gloves!  Of course she'll add lots of jewelry and big hair!    She could use this again with a black swan costume or a witch or just for fun!

I just love Tutus and this was really easy to make.  I found a couple blogs for simple instructions with photos.  This was a good one:  



Check it out!

I think we should all have a tutu in our wardrobe!


Friday, August 19, 2011

New Pumpkinheads

I've finished my latest batch of Pumpkinheads!  In a previous post I showed you part of the process of creating these Pumpkinheads.  In the first photo, from left to right are Punky P. Pumpkinhead, Gabby "Ghost" Pumpkinhead and Patty P. Pumpkinhead.  You can read there individual stories below each photo following.  Enjoy!




Punky P. Pumpkinhead can't wait to try out her new time machine!  She really hopes it works!  (I antiqued this photo...just thought it was appropriate for her)


Gabby "Ghost" Pumpkinhead thinks roaming 'round moaning "ooooooohhhhhh" is great fun but her friends hate it!  (The apple give you an idea of her size)


Patty P. Pumpkinhead was sure she thought her costume through but now she has to potty!

UPDATE:  Patty P. Pumpkinhead has been SOLD
Thank you, Kimberly!

Friday, August 12, 2011

New Works in Process

Every summer, Mr. D. and I look at each other and ask "Why do we live here?"  Arizona, Summer, 118 degrees!  But when looking for the "sunny" spot of living in Arizona in the Summer, I have to say there is no better place to make dolls with air drying clay.  When I make my dolls with air drying clay, such as PaperClay, I sculpt it in layers.  The most frustrating thing is having to wait for a layer to dry so I can build up another layer, but hey, when it is sunny and hot and dry outside, this process is really quick!

I have three new Pumpkinhead dolls in process.  I love to show you my WIP so here we go. This one is the Pumpkinheads "sunbathing" between layers.


Here are more shots of their progress...



Monday, August 8, 2011

Halloween's a comin'

I've been working, working, working on some new Pumpkinhead dolls.  So busy at it, I've failed to photograph! Then to make matters worse my MAC froze up on me.  I had to leave it at the "Genius Bar".  I'm sure there are a few jokes that could be inserted here.

Anyway, in the meantime, I've listed my "Bat Outta Hell" in my Etsy shop and he was included in not one but two Treasuries over the weekend!  It's so fun to see your work included in a Treasury!  Thank you Tamera and AnnaBelle for including him!



Friday, July 22, 2011

Tight Squeeze

I've finished my bottle doll, Tight Squeeze.  Next I'm going to send it in, in response to the challenge.  Keep your fingers crossed that he is chosen for publication......  Here is just a sneak peek..

Monday, July 11, 2011

Art Doll - Tight Squeeze

I have a new work in process.  I'm taking part in a Doll Challenge; creating a doll from a bottle.  I found a great bottle at a church thrift shop....not your usual bottle either.  It is pewter and looks to me to be an anointing oil bottle of some sort.  Anyway, it was screaming to become the home of one angry Genie, squeezing himself out.


Now the funny part of this is that I started thinking I would create a wire armature for this guy.  Shame on me because I had never done that before using clay and after the first coat of clay it was absolutely the ugliest, most laughable creation EVER!  I threw it away but wish I had taken a photo first!


Starting fresh, I used a fabric body to support the clay overcoat instead.  This is what I have so far.  





Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Phoenix Haboob July 5, 2011

When I was a kid, here in Scottsdale Arizona, we had what we called Dust Storms almost every evening during the Monsoon (July and August mostly).  It would be so hot during the day that the storms would build up over the desert then plow in when the temps dropped a bit.  I remember sitting in our front room, looking out the window, and the dust was so thick I couldn't see the house across the street.  Since then, though, the valley has sprawled and replaced desert with concrete, so our summer storms are generally more mild.  Until last night, that is.  It was a good old fashioned dust storm, although they're calling it a Haboob.

"A haboob (Arabic هبوب) is a type of intense sandstorm commonly observed in arid regions throughout the world.   When this downdraft, or "downburst", reaches the ground, dry, loose sand from the desert settings is essentially blown up, creating a wall of sediment preceding the storm cloud. This wall of sand can be up to 100 km (60 miles) wide and several kilometers in elevation. At their strongest, haboob winds can travel at 35-50 km/h (20-30 mph), and they may approach with little to no warning."

It looks much scarier than it was, however, once the dirt blew in, it stopped and hung around for hours and hours laying a brown yucky blanket over everything!

This is a great link to an awesome video that captures the "Haboob" rolling in. 
http://www.scottwoodphotography.com/Weather/2011StormChasing/15913598_nN77g#1370278891_RDCLM67-A-LB


Friday, July 1, 2011

Art Doll - Penelope P. Pumpkinhead



There is something about the name "Pumpkinhead" that appeals to me (obviously).  So I was wondering the other day why I haven't created a Pumpkinhead doll.  Why not?  So I set to work and out came Penelope.  Sorry, that would be Penelope P. Pumpkinhead.  


As a little girl, Penelope likes to dress up in all the pretty dresses that her mommy makes for her but only if she can wear her favorite sneakers too.  She is hand-sculpted with layers of paper clay and painted with acrylics.  Her eyes are glass.  Her pretty little dress is repurposed velvet that I "stained" with a bit of bleach.  Her stockings are stitched from repurposed jersey.  Her arms are hand-sculpted from polymer clay, as are her sneakers.  Her sneakers are laced up with silk ribbon.  She is free standing and about 8 inches tall.


Penelope will be available in my Etsy shop soon.  www.etsy.com/shop/pumpkinheadstudio


Update:  SOLD
Thank you, Joan






Monday, June 27, 2011

The Ladies in an Etsy Treasury

I just love it when one of my creations catches the attention of a fellow Etsy seller who includes it in one of their Treasuries.  The Ladies have been included in a treasury titled Some Some Summertime created by NaturalistBent.  Here is the link www.etsy.com/treasury/MTExODA1NjR8MzgyMzY2OTA0/some-some-summertime