PAPER ART DOLLS

PAPER ART DOLLS

Three new paper dolls

I just finished creating more paper art dolls. I have to say, I’m completely addicted to them. It is hard for me to believe that I am still playing with paper dolls after all these years. I was so captivated with my dolls as a child that when my family went on vacation, I would cry and carry on if they didn’t allow me to bring along my paper doll collection. We used to call them cut-outs back then. (I know, I was a brat) That collection consisted of a huge, and I mean huge box just filled with cutouts.

I’d make complete plays and movies using those dolls. My imagination just soared. Back then, it was easy to appease a child with a simple package of paper dolls. Now, children must have ITunes, IPhones, Laptops and the list goes on. Do all these new technological wonders dwarf creativity? I'm not sure. Maybe there is a new kind of creativity going on.

"Jump"

“Jump off Cliffs and build your wings on the way down” is a quote from Ray Bradbury, one of my favorite writers. I love this idea. It seems like a grand way to live your life. If you never fear the outcome of your decisions it shows you have confidence that you will be able to creatively handle any situation. In other words, do it now and worry about the outcome later.

"Absolute moment"

Sold. Thank you Bridgette!

I don’t know who wrote “The moment of absolute certainty never arrives” but it is my favorite. I think maybe I wrote it? Unfortunately, the moment of absolute certainty in my life has come and gone many times. I really wish I could make snap judgments and know I did the right thing. I seem to analyze a situation to death before I can make any decision.

"Women are like buttons"

“Women are like buttons, they hold things together” Once again, I don’t know who first quoted this one but I like it a lot. How true it is too. Given any situation, I think it is the woman who compromises the most and by doing so, keeps things in motion. I don’t mean that the woman is giving too much either, just being wise.

"Fine line"

“Hey..hold on, I’m here too” So says “There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have crossed that line.” She didn’t get in the top picture because I finished her after the other 3. There really is a lot of truth to her statement, don’t you think? I know I have crossed that line in my artwork many, many times.

Hope you like the new paper art dolls. You can view them on Etsy by clicking the quotes.. They are each priced at $38. and worth it! I hand sculpt each and every one of those tiny faces.

AUTUMN BLOOM COLLAGE BOX

AUTUMN BLOOM

COLLAGE BOX

Fres-go Collage Box

She led a charmed life. All of her needs were met. All of her desires were filled. But..she was lonely. Her days were spent in questioning her stagnant existence. She felt as though there was something inside of her waiting to burst out. But how could she ignite that spark. That fire..

She grew older. Time was good to her and there were no lines on her face. In her old age, she knew that she had escaped feeling. She had not loved or been loved and she finally knew that the flame within her was love..flickering..waiting to be freed. Knowing this, she unlocked the door to her heart and love emerged to show the way..

I wrote this story years ago and it appears in my book, "She Who Whispers." Is it possible to fall in love in your old age? I have known people who have been smitten in their 70's. I think we are all capable of love, it is a matter of allowing it to happen.

Another angle of box

Inside of box

I created Autumn Bloom by using a very stury box, not a cigar box, but a box with a wonderful dovetail finish. This box has manufacturer dates and details stamped into the bottom. I’ll have to get a magnifying glass to be able to read the small print but it said it was made in Pennsylvania. I love knowing how old the various items I use for my artwork are. Sometimes I try to imagine what kind of life the item had. Where was it used? How was it used? Who did it belong to? Where did that tiny nick come from? I used small purchased tiles along with one that I hand made in my “fres-go” style. Click here if you’d like to read about the process. I grouted the tile and finished the interior with upholstery fabric.

Glass tile

Click here to view Autumn Bloom at my Etsy store.

QUEEN ANN'S LACE LACE FACE BOX

QUEEN ANN'S LACE

FACE BOX

Queen Ann's Lace Face Box

Sometimes I have a longing to be feminine. When I think of femininity, I see flowing gowns, rings, flowers, song and lace. Lace always comes to mind. There was a time when I felt feminine, but being an artist and working in my studio for so many years has pretty much diminished that thought. How can I keep my nails looking lovely when they are immersed in clay and paints continually? Then there is the garden. How can I keep my toenails painted and groomed when they are constantly trudging through dirt and weeds? But, once in awhile I can still dream.

Perhaps that is just what I was doing when I created this first in what may be a new series. I am not sure what I will call them yet but Lace Face keeps coming to mind, although that is a bit offbeat don't you think?

Face Box

The process of a new creation is rather mysterious. I started this piece, thinking she would be a book cover but somehow, my lace face wanted to become the cover for a box. Maybe the next one will become the book cover.

I wanted the lace to appear behind the face so I used organza digital sheets and printed one of my original acrylic faces on it. I then placed a vintage lace doily under the image and sewed the top with gold metallic thread.

Face being sewn

I was a bit disappointed when I finished sewing and placing the piece on the box because the doily background does not show up the way I had planned. It still looks textured though.

Another close-up of face being sewn. Here you can see doily behind organza

Inside of box

I added more lace and finished it with encaustic wax. I completely redid the inside of the box to match. All in all, I like the end result but will have to experiment a bit more before I'm completely satisfied.

I named her Queen Ann's Lace, from my book "She Who Whispers."

Queen Ann's Lace

She is inspired by angels. They whisper to her of another day. A day when she had roses and tea for a long days reverie..crystal and lace, heirloom flacons and a porcelin smile….

Her pale beauty shows an ambience of that of a romantic visionary..Of one who is celebrating purity on the highest level..in a way only she chooses to remember…

I have just listed "Queen Ann's Lace" on my Etsy shop. "She Who Whispers" may also be purchased there.

APRONS

Aprons

Studio, kitchen, garden

At last! The birthday aprons are finished

Sewing was commonplace to me decades ago when my children were young. I made dresses for the girls and matching pants for the boys. I used to sew neckties and give them as gifts till I thought the family would rebel If they received just one more tie. I sewed Vogue designer dresses for myself as well. It all started with the aprons though. The first project I learned at school, was how to make an apron. It’s funny, aprons went out of vogue and have now come back full circle. There is even a magazine named Apronology.

I saw several aprons in Apronology that really appealed to me so I checked out the various artists' work. When I saw Calamity Kim's submissions, I knew I was hooked and wanted to make some aprons. Kim is a seamstress and fiber artist. Her work is stellar. She is so inspiring. She shows you step by step how to make aprons on her wonderful blog.

Leaf I used on the aprons

We have a fall birthday bash each year and I decided to try to finish an apron for each of the birthday girls. I worked extremely hard in keeping them a secret. I had to be sure to lift them off of the floor, where I had to work on them, each time anyone came to the house. I wanted them to be a surprise.

I frantically sat at the machine day after day, embroidering and piecing together the flowers and leaves. I really wanted to use flowers from Woodloft garden, my home, but it was late in the season and most had died out because of the summer draught.

I must have used 4 spools of thread and many bobbins as well. The office, where I sew was strewn with thread that wrapped its way around my entire body at times. I am so glad I was able to take advantage of the beautiful sewing machine the kids got me for my birthday a few years back.

Kelli's finished apron

There was a lot of trial and error involved with the making of the aprons. I started with Kelli, my oldest daughter, and placed a piece of quilt backing to the digital image of her face only to find that it scrunched up completely when I sewed it. After that, I decided not to place anything behind the faces but to quilt only the flowers and butterfly. The whole time I was sewing, the girls on the quilts made all sorts of faces at me as I pulled and stretched them as they glided along under the needle.

Kirsten's finished apron

Nakisa's finished apron

I found some fantastic gloves that begged to be added to the aprons. They were all polka-dotty and flowery and matched perfectly.

The apron surprise was a success!

I'm really pleased with the results and I hope I have the fortitude to complete aprons for our entire family of gals, including one for myself!

Be sure to check out Calamity Kim's blog You'll be glad you made the visit.

CHERYL'S LAST OF THE SUMMER CREAM OF GREEN BEAN SOUP

CHERYL’S LAST OF THE SUMMER CREAM OF GREEN BEAN SOUP

Last of the Summer Green Bean Soup

I purchased green beans and potatoes from one of the farmers at the Roanoke City Market on Saturday to make my “last of the summer soup.” Normally I have an abundance of green beans of my own but the summer draught and my being away on my Great Britain tour for so long made for a poor summer crop. Fortunately, I did have plenty of chives left for my soup.

Fresh chives from my garden, potatoes and beans from the Farmer's Market

Our Little Supper Club decided to do a “Local Foods” party this month for the theme. All main ingredients were to be grown within a 50 mile radius. Our location was the beautiful Floyd County and the home of Jason and Mark.

Our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains

Driving up to Floyd, via the Blue Ridge Parkway is like floating in a cloud and landing at the top of the world. The leaves had just started to change and in about two weeks, they will be glistening in gold.

Old barn on property

When you do finally land down, you arrive at some of the most beautiful country in all of Virginia, if not all of the US.

Winding road to unknown wonders

There is picturesque scenery such as an old barn on the over 65 acres of property and a winding road that begs you to go round the curve to see what lies ahead. This is just a small part of the land.

Bonfire warms us in the crisp autumn air

A bonfire added to the ambiance of our country “Local Foods” party as well as tales of Floyd living. I giggled when I heard that there was a club just over the ridge with the name, “The Floyd County Coon Hunt Club.” I don’t know why that struck me so funny but for some reason it did. I guess I just can’t imagine anyone wanting to track down a Raccoon and chase him into a tree.

The food was very different this time with region specialties featured such as Venison Pie, Buffalo stew and Lamb gyros. I don't eat very much red meat so I was glad we also had garden pizzas, Squash soup, Apple dishes, beans in many varieties, including my Cream of Green Bean Soup. We always know if our food entry has reached the mark of perfection by what we have labeled as “The Stephanie eyeroll,” seen below. Stephanie is a real connoisseur of good food and we all await anxiously to see if we've made the mark. (Of course there are sound effects that accompany the eyeroll)

Stephanie's famous "eyeroll"

Both Wayne’s Caramel Cheesecake and my End of Summer Cream of Green Bean Soup, received the eyeroll this time around. Actually, come to think of it, I think I saw the "eyeroll" for several other dishes as well.

I thought you might like the recipe for my soup. The name sounds a bit strange, I know, but once you taste this soup which is chock full of garlic and chives, you will definitely become a believer. It takes almost no time at all to prepare. Enjoy!

Cheryl’s Last of the Summer Cream of Green Bean Soup

Serves about 16

1 lb green fresh garden green beans (I sometimes add more)
12 small or 6 large cloves of garlic (I sometimes add more)
8 cups chicken broth, homemade or bought
1 cup of chives
4 small white potatoes-cut into fourths
1/2 cup sour cream
2T lemon juice
S and P to taste

Method:

Cut green beans into 2” pieces and place in large soup cauldron with potatoes, stock, chives and garlic. Bring to a boil. Turn down and simmer for 30 minutes. Use food or hand processor to puree. Add sour cream and lemon juice. Garnish with chives and extra sour cream.

Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and chopped chives

It is so simple to make and even though the sound of a green bean soup may not be appealing to you, believe me, this soup melts in your mouth and warms your entire autumn being.

Look at those wonderful chives and garlic

Earth Walker Native American Sculpture

“EARTH WALKER”

“KEEPER OF THE STONES"

Earth Walker, Native American Sculpture

Years ago, I studied with Yowonode Two Wolves, (Twyla Nitch) clan mother of the Seneca Wolf Clan. I received the status of “Keeper of the Stones” which meant I was entrusted with special stones denoting power. Being greatly inspired by the Senaca philosophy I wrote the story I attached to my sculpture.

Earth Walker is the third in my series of the smaller Daughters of Antiquity sculptures. I used stoneware clay and ancient looking embellishments and material. She is approximately 17”h x 5”x w x 4: deep. Even though my new series is not as stately as the taller version, they definitely ship at a much more reasonable cost.

Earth Walker

She arrived from infinite space of her own choice.

She brought with her only faint memories of lives lived before. In her memories of all those lives, one over-all theme seemed to prevail..the ribbon of harmony in all things.

More memories stirred and she saw herself in a distant time, placing her ear to the ground and hearing the great mother whisper to her. “Listen,” she said, “to the pulse of all life.”

All nature was speaking to her and she was prepared to listen to the language of the stones, for even the stones have voices. The outer hard surface of a stone is merely the covering and the spirit lives within..just as our bodies are only temporary houses for our souls.

She listened to the garden and with relaxed vision, she saw and heard the nature spirits respond to the commands of the Devas..and each fruit and vegetable fulfilled their promise. She listened to the stream trickle past and on to a greater end.

She was at peace and entered into the silence. Being aware of the spiritual light, she became connected to the spiritual essence and knew that all is in flow..all nature is alive..THERE IS NO DEATH..only change.

~Cheryl Dolby~

Full view

Close up view

Side view

I have treasured the stones Grandmother Twyla gave to me and as I hold them, I wonder about the spirit in all things. I do believe that stones are alive in some way. Perhaps their language is that of silent observation.

You can read more about her at my Etsy shop by clicking here.

Other side view

GODDESS MAGIC CREAMS INSPIRED BY PRACTICAL MAGIC

GODDESS MAGIC CREAMS INSPIRED BY PRACTICAL MAGIC

Goddess Magic Creams

Justina and Anna from Mistic-Majik have come up with a grand idea for anyone interested in showing their arts, crafts, decorating skills or other talents related to the movie or book called Practical Magic.

Before starting my post, I looked up the word magic. One synonym of magic is “enchantment.” I immediately thought about my Goddess Magic Creams. My customers seem to be enchanted by them so I thought perhaps my readers would like a tutorial or at least a method on how to create them.

Goddess Magic Cream with original clay face and turquoise

In a previous blog post I jokingly said I feel like Madam Curie whenever I start to concoct my Goddess Magic Creams. Sometimes I also feel like a witch as I siphon out, mix, grind, measure and jar them. As a sculptor, I never expected to be creating face and body creams but when I found some beautiful glass jars with lids, the inventive side of me kicked in.

Refill jar

I sculpted faces out of stoneware clay and added interesting embellishments to each jar. I experimented with various butters and oils and It took me over two years of research and development to finally decide my creams were worth selling.

Ingredients

I finally settled on almond oil, shea butter, bees wax, glycerin, silk protein, grapefruit seed extract, panthenol, essential lavender oil, emu oil and coconut oil. and water AND..a "Magical" ingredient.

More ingredients

I heat the oils and butters until they are completely dissolved. I also heat the water. Next step is to whirl the mixture in a food processor set aside strictly for the creams. I first add the liquid ingredients and water, then slowly drizzle in the heated oils and butters.

Oils being heated

I place the cream in a freezer for about an hour. I then re-whip it in the processor until it becomes creamy and fluffy. This is probably the hardest part because everything I’ve done prior to this step depends on what the texture will be like. I was disappointed by a bad batch when I first started making the cream but seem to have perfected it now. The cream batches are now consistent.

Cream after being whipped

The one ingredient I am missing right now, and here is where the magic comes into play, is the Holy Water that I collected from the Sacred Grotto of St. Bernadette from Lourdes, France. I brought the water back over three years ago and decided to add small portions of it to my cream. I was surprised that the water lasted so long! Every time I got to the point where I had only a dribble of water left, one of my family members or friends would bring me one of the souvenirs of the water I had given to them asking if I’d like to have it back for my cream.

One of the bottles of Holy Water from Lourdes

Refill jars

My customers have told me some pretty amazing stories concerning my cream. Some say it gets rid of hives, other tell me that aches in their hands disappear when they use it. While not trying to sound like a snake oil doctor, I will just say that there is a good chance the creams are…..magic…

Hematite lid with original clay face

I will be concocting more of my Goddess magic Cream this winter with hopes that someone will appear with a bottle of the water from Lourdes, since I’m now completely out. Perhaps you’d like to judge for yourself if they are indeed... magic.

Amythyst lid with original clay face

Each jar comes with a scroll with ingredients and magical properties listed

If you would like to read more of the Practical Magic inspired blog posts, please just click on the button at the top of my blog on the right hand side called "Practical Magic Blog Party"

FRESGO'S

FRES-GO'S

Fres-go Box, close-up

I haven’t made a mistake in the title of this posting. Fres-go's is the actual name I have given to a technique I created several years back.

Since most of us do not live at one place long enough to watch a fresco age, or even own a fresco, I decided to create smaller frescoes that can be transported to any new surrounding. I have used the techniques of painters such as Botticelli, Giotto and Masaccio. Like the masters, I painted into the plaster and limestone while it was wet. This is a difficult process since I am forced to work a lot faster than I would otherwise. I sometimes add embellishments to each fresco and finish with a light varnish to help preserve them for the oncoming centuries, and, since they will be "to-go" I have named them..."Fres-go's."

Fres-go box, full view

My goal was to construct fresco pieces but I did not want to go to all the trouble of grinding limestone and sand. Later, I decided that I DID want to go to the trouble and I DID want to create fresco in the true Italian style.

After much searching for a fresco teacher, I found the acclaimed Alma Ortolan. She restores fresco’s in churches and facades on building fronts and lives in an adorable village in northern Italy in the Vittoria Venuto region. You feel as though you stepped into a fairytale when you enter Serravalle. I’ve never seen an entire village made of stone before and was delighted to have the opportunity to live there in Alma’s pallazzo for over 2 weeks.

In an earlier post, I show pictures of the village and Alma. You can see Serravalle and read more about it by clicking here

Serravalle

After I got back, I decided to create a fresco using the method I learned from Alma. I wanted my piece to entail all techniques used by the masters of old. I decided to do everything exactly like they did.

The masters of old used large walls in cathedrals as a backdrop for frescoes such as Michangelo's Sistine chapel. A fresco is actually a painting that has not been painted on a wall but rather into a wall. This painting is finished while the plaster is still wet. Therefore; the painting and the wall are one!

When a fresco is painted into a wall, it takes on all the changes that occur in that particular atmosphere and building. That is what makes them so unique and special. The cracks and crevices that occur within the fresco are a result of many years and changes beneath and around it, just as our own exterior is a living testimony of what has occurred during the course of our lives. I have said that I am actually proud of each wrinkle on my face..they are a result of what I have given and endured. I have earned them.

By using this method, I created a Buon Fresco. Buon means true and Fresco means fresh. In other words, I had to paint into the sand and limestone while it was still wet. The opposite of Buon Fresco is Secco Fresco. The term Secco, means that you paint onto the sand and limestone once it has dried.

Getting the material together took some doing. It was like a scavenger hunt! I had to order limestone that had been aged for 6 years from Italy. I gathered sand from the river, I used pigments I bought while in Italy, I made a grinding tool out of a glass beaker I had and used a glass mixing tray.

Here I am applying the limestone and sand over base

After a very labor intensive 8 months, I finally finished my Buon Fresco of 3 angels. I named it, Angels of wisdom, love and strength. It is 6’tall x 4’w. Normally frescoes are created on and in a wall but I wanted mine to be mobile, just in case I ever needed to take it with me at some point so I had to go to great lengths to build a support for it.

Finished Fresco

I now have reverted back to making fres-gos. I find the Buon Frescos are too hard to transport and not cost effective at all. It takes a tremendous time to finish them. I am so glad that I learned how to create them the proper way though. I have heard it said over and over, “You have to know the rules, before you can break them.” Break them I do for sure and in this case I broke the rules before I knew them.

Below is a simple tutorial on how I created my box using the fres-go method.

l. The first thing to do is find a simple tile.I found the one shown below at Lowe’s.

2. Next, use a trowel and paint joint compound over the surface using a sleek even stroke. Let tile partially dry for Buon or completely dry for Secco.

The picture below shows the plain tile and the one I painted with joint compound.

Unfinished tile on left and one which I applied joint compound to on the right

3. Draw a sketch and then trace the picture of the item you want to place “into” the tile or draw your image directly onto the tile without the use of tracing paper. I mostly always create women’s faces.

Tile with joint compound, tracing paper and original image drawn on paper

4. Once the image is drawn into the partially wet surface start to paint it with acrylic paints for Buon fresco. For Secco fresco, wait until the tile has dried completely.

5. You can paint as long as the tile remains wet for Buon. The Italians call this time Santo D’Oro or the hour of the Saint. The reason is that the mortar stays wet for only about one hour. You can also work on it after it dries for Secco.

6. Once the tile has completely dried, apply matt Golden Gel Medium or Modge Podge thinly over the top to seal. Or, alternatively, if you want a very slick looking tile, you can use gloss Modge podge.

Finished tile, ready to be used in artwork. Notice the imperfections in the surface

Now you are free to use your tile in any manner you wish. The sky is the limit.

Inside of finished box

For anyone interested in Alma’s class in Buon fresco, you can check it out by clicking here

To purchase or see other views of my fres-go box, click my Etsy shop here.

Last but not least and back by popular demand (LOL) Here are 4 more of my Angels of Antiquity. You can click on each number, which will take you to my Etsy shop.

Angel number 1

Angel number 2

Angel number 3

Angel number 4