Picasso Art Chair

PICASSO ART CHAIR

Picasso Art Chair

Several weeks ago, Ro Brun of Ro brun Art posted a fantastic chair that she had re-furbished. I was so impressed that I immediately e-mailed her and asked for permission to downright copy her idea! She was so gracious. Actually,I tried hard not to copy what she did. I tried to do my own thing by using squares but they didn’t look right. I also made a point not to even look back at her post but those circles she used kept popping into my head. I have to admit the two chairs do look similar.

Close-up

Basically what Ro did was to take an old rundown office chair (mine was a leftover from my parents bar) and go to town painting it with acrylics. After the chair dried she used a mat varnish on it and it’s ready for many more years of wear. Now that is what I call recycling. One of Ro’s friends had just taken a similar old chair to the curb for pickup and when she saw what Ro had done, she brought it right back into her house to paint. Thanks for the inspiration Ro, you’re the greatest.

Back of chair

COMPOSER SERIES

“MUSIC WAS MY REFUGE”

“Music was my refuge”

"I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness" By Maya Angelou.

I’m working my way up to creating a new series. My son, Cameron, has commissioned me to create several large collages of famous composers. The first one will be of Claude Debussy. He composed Clair de lune, which happens to be my favorite classical song. Cameron and his girlfriend own “Singing Strings” They both play the piano and Nakisa plays the violin and teaches classes. They like the idea of placing paintings of famous composers all around their home and music studio. This series will be a challenge since the paintings/collages are to be quite large. I’m not sure whether to have musical notes peeking through the face of Debussy or whether to paint the portrait of Debussy using my newly learned technique, which is a very, very old technique, of Renaissance painting. I’m taking a course in it now and I was extremely surprised at how difficult and labor intensive this method is.

"Dead painting" My rendition of Joris Van Son's painting

The method includes starting with a campintura, which consists of darker tones and then works it’s way into what is called a “dead” painting and then goes on to two additional coats of paint. The old masters used natural pigments, which they had their assistants grind. At least I was able to use artist grade store bought oils for mine. I went through that pigment grinding technique when I was working on my 6’ fresco. Whew! My body still hurts from that challenge.

View showing wooden cradle

In the class I am taking, we were required to do a rendition of one of the Rennassiance masters. Joris Van Son was chosen. I worked for so many hours on this painting that it would be impossible to sell it. I’m not sure I could part with it anyway.

I’m going to continue to experiment with my women collages until I am sure I know which direction I’m heading with Debussey and then, after probably several attempts, I will create my first Renaissance style painting/collage of Debussy, which will be, by the way, the first male I will ever paint.. Should be interesting.

Side view- Notice how the notes drift through her face, making her look as though she were a zentangle

In the meantime, I’m offering for sale “Music was my Refuge.” She is 8x10” I painted her onto a birch paint panel that has a cradle edge for easier hanging. I hope you notice the crackles I was able to finally achieve on this piece. It is amazing how long it took me to figure out how to place crackles over paper so that the background shows through. I was always able to attain great crackles when I used paint in the background, but never when I wanted it clear. It took the help of several blogger friends. I want to thank Terra Sheridan, from
Terra Sheridan’s Musings Terra advised me to use Deckle One Step Crackle Gel. Diane, from My Art Journal uses Tim Holtz’s crackle paint. Lynn Stevens at Trash to Treasure has good luck with Tim Holtzs' paint too, and lastly, Moriah Butterfly from MLB Studio who not only sent me a detailed e-mail but who is going to create a video on how she crackles her wonderful folk art dolls.

Let me know if you are interested in this first original painting in my composer series. I realize “refuge” is not a composer but I'm sure you get the drift. I have priced her at $55. You can e-mail me for shipping details.

Oh, one last thing. There is an added bonus to my completing this painting. Cameron promised to learn how to play Clair de Lune for me. I'll definitely be working on it.

ANTIQUE WOODEN TRAY

ANTIQUE WOODEN TRAY

Benedetta

Benedetta

Although this very ornate antique tray does not fit into my decorating theme for most of my house, it will be perfect for my newly renovated Tuscany Suite. I’m having students stay here for an all-inclusive sculpture class this summer and I want to give them every possible luxury.

Benedetta-ornate wooden tray

Benedetta, (that is the name I am giving her because I believe that anything worth owning is worth naming) was very easy to create. I found the wonderful tray at the flea market. I used a digital image of a spirited gal I painted last year. I had named the original “Tess” She even has tattoos! There is something innocent about her face though and I knew I could convert her into a beautiful Italian girl. My friend, Chrystal, gave me some absolutely beautiful delicate lace that her mother had collected. I placed it around the digital image and printed it once again. I cut a few pieces of the lace and used gel medium to glue down the entire collage.

Side view

After the collage dried, I added Tim Holtz’s crackle paint, heated it with my blow dryer. Then I dabbled the entire piece with gesso to give it an even more antique look.

Benedetta with bath soaps

I’ll be on the lookout for 2 more trays for the other bedrooms that will be used during the class. In the meantime, the only decision left is whether Benedetta will be offering exotic perfumes, soaps or wine and delicious truffles from our local candy store, “Chocolate Paper.”

Benedetta with exotic perfume

Benedetta with chocolate candy and wine

If you are interested in reading more about the class, please check out my website at the top of my sidebar titled “Cheryl Dolby’s School of Sculpture.” There are videos of the Tuscany Suite, Tuscany Annex and Cabana Suite. I am visualizing a lavish ocean tray there. I’m happy to announce that I only need two more students! Perhaps you will join me here at my home, Woodloft.

THANK YOU FILE FOLDERS

THANK YOU FILE FOLDERS!

"Dreams" file folder, original artwork from Sharon Tomlinson

I’m still on a roll with my artsy file folders. This time, I added a new twist. Over the holidays, I received some beautiful gifts from some very special blogger friends. I pondered as to whether to frame them, or place in a portfolio or do something else with them. Well, that something else evolved into my file folders.

I knew it would be wrong to make a copy of any of my friends artwork, so I used the actual work they sent me. Now, whenever I go to my folders and pull out “Dreams", I think of Sharon Tomlinson at all Norah’S art She sent me a beautiful image of one of her colorful gals. The Epson printer she uses gives a crisp clean copy. Sharon even shows how she achieves this on one of her posts! She also sent napkins and I even used the original of those too. It was interesting sewing on a paper napkin…..something I’ve never done before. I left Sharon’s lovely message so I can always be reminded of her generosity.

"Travel" file folder, original artwork from Lisa Wright

When I’m planning a trip, I now see a beautiful girl with green eyes with a castle in the background and I remember Lisa Wright from The Wright Stuff
I placed her handwritten message to me on the back of the folder as well. Lisa and I did a collaboration a few months ago. She is an amazing writer and I couldn’t have finished my “Isis” sculpture without her.

"Books" file folder, original artwork from Priti Lisa

Priti Lisa sent me one of her whimsical prints with a saying that I have come to love. I placed the title “Books” at the top of Lisa’s work. I know Lisa loves to read and I will be reminded of her whenever I go to this file. You can see Lisa’s diversified work here

"Addresses" file folder, original artwork from Debby Harriettha

Last but not least. I admired this beautiful face I saw on The Gathering Nest and lo and behold..there she was in a beautiful Christmas card. I decided on “Addresses” for Debby’s folder. At Christmas every year, I’ll be reminded of her generosity and I’ll have addresses of all my blogger friends whenever I open this file.

Thank you all so very much!

Sculpture School

SCHOOL OF SCULPTURE

FACES, FACES, FACES

Stoneware clay face planters

Finally! After spending over a year renovating my Tuscany Suite, I am ready to offer sculpture classes here at Woodloft.

I love both taking and giving classes. I’ve studied sculpture and other forms of art all over the world and have an idea of what a good class should be like. In preparing my sculpture class, I decided to fashion it after the ones that I have enjoyed the most and also add my own touches.

Woodloft welcome sign

When I studied fresco making in Serravalle, Italy, I was impressed with the fact that my superb teacher, Alma Ortolan, offered an all inclusive class. Her mother, Leo, who was an excellent chef, provided all of our meals. This allowed plenty of time for learning fresco. Another time, in France, the class I took in anatomical sculpture, offered a wonderful French country atmosphere and a stay in an 11th century castle. While I can’t offer the castle, Italy or France, I do have a lovely home located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which I have named Woodloft. At Woodloft, we will combine studies with local sightseeing and have a chef prepare all our meals. That would be my version of an all-inclusive.

Tuscany Suite

I like the idea that my students won’t have to scurry around looking for supplies since I’ll have absolutely everything they will need for their studies. They won’t have to worry about meals, since the chef will be doing all the cooking, and they won’t have to worry about hotels since I have accommodations for 5 people. By keeping the class at 5, I will be able to devote utmost attention to each one.

My studio

I named my workshop, Faces, Faces, faces. I plan to teach my students how to create a face using various materials such as stoneware clay, paper clay and a few other types of clay. We will construct a stoneware clay planter with face that will be fired in the kiln. We will also build a tall stoneware clay Goddess figure. While the clay is drying, we will create a doll using a non firing clay and also a bas- relief to be used on the cover of our journals.

Tall standing sculpture

Since it does take awhile for the clay to dry and for firing, the class will take two excursions. We will visit Chateau Morrisette, which is a lovely French restaurant and winery located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We will also visit the Taubman Museum located in the Farmer’s Market in Roanoke and have lunch while there.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The fabulous chef I have chosen for the class, Stratton St. Clair, is a bit eccentric. Here is what he says about himself:

“Wayne is mildly psychotic... fortunately for everyone around him it is expressed in generosity, good humor and fine foods. He claims that he learned how to cook in order to augment the fine art of seduction then discovered he was better at the cooking. He has worked in many restaurants and chased out of many more. He likes to make as much as he can from scratch and in the process has taught himself how to garden, hunt wild mushrooms, brew beer, make some cheeses, can foods... make sausages, dry foods and smoke them though meats and cheeses tend to clog the pipe. In the years since he has renounced the restaurant trade his cooking has become more refined and now he understands (via the context of cooking) what Picasso meant when he said that it has taken him a life time to learn to draw like a child; consequently Wayne can be often observed playing with his food. ;) W”

Stratton will not only cook for us but will also give us a cooking class at the end of the sculpture session.

Stratton St. Clair

All in all, I think everyone will have a grand time, including me. My goal is that at the end of the week, each student will take away samples of the work they create in class and to have a firm grasp of how to recreate the process once home. I will be available to the students exclusively all week.

Woodloft pool

I am placing class information on my right hand side bar for you to refer to at any time. The site can still use a bit of tweaking but a complete itinerary with prices, videos and all details can be found there. You can also click on http://www.cheryldolbyschoolofsculpture.com I hope you will join me!!!!

My art car B-dazle

ARTSY FILE FOLDERS

ARTSY FILE FOLDERS

THE ART OF LIVING LAVISHLY

Collaged file folders

Living lavishly is easier than you think. It doesn’t require a lot of money but it does involve imagination and ingenuity. You can start by taking mundane items in your home and kicking them up a notch.

I must admit, I hate to file anything. I really hate filing bills and medical documents in file cabinets. It’s as though I have a mental block about this, even though I know how supremely important it is to have a good filing system. (It’s also a good idea to have a high quality filing system on your computer, but that’s another story.)

I used one of my stories, the banner for my blog and lots of metallic thread on this folder

When I read an article in Somerset Life Magazine, I knew immediately that I wanted to make my own version of Lisa Guerin’s file folders. The ones I created look completely different from Lisa’s but that is always the idea in art. When artists are highlighted in craft magazines, they are there to show an example of “how to” make their creations, not to be copied exactly.

With that in mind, here are some of the folders I am getting ready for my new 2011 filing system. I’m hoping they will encourage me to be more organized.

On this one, I used a digital print from my Celtic Woman and one of my mosaic labyrinth from my laundry room

I used digital prints of my paintings and sculpture on cloth and paper. I added paper, lace, embroidery thread, text from old and foreign books, sequins, etc. I added stories from my books to some of the folders as well. I embroidered around these pieces using intricate stitching and also added some free motion stitching. If you double click on the folders, you will see the elaborate stitching in metallic thread

This collage has a heavily textured background and a face from one of my paintings

These artsy file folders are extremely addictive, sort of like potato chips, you can’t eat just one. You can’t make just one of these once you get going on them. I made so many that I decided to sell them in sets of 5 for those of you who don’t have the time, inclination or even a sewing machine with which to make them.

The girl is from my painting "Mesmorized" and I used several textured cloth pieces from an old purse

Here are some examples of labels you can give them. Of course, it will vary from person to person. I will leave the labeling to you.

Dreams
Medical bills
Water bill
Gas bill
Cable TV, Phone HS
Electric bill
To Do
Blog Post Ideas
Dynamic ideas
New Year's Resolutions

A face from my "Doors" series

This one was inspired by a really cool card and gift from my friend Dian-oh so French

At some point I may list these sets on Etsy but for now, if you’d like a set of them to get you going in the right direction, just e-mail me and I’ll ship them off to you. I’ll choose a variety of themes and colors for each set. We can use Paypal or I also take checks.

I have priced them reasonably at $35.00 for a set of 5. Shipping to the UK France and Australia is $9.00. Shipping to Canada is $6.00 and anywhere in the United States is $5.50. I hope they get you started on the path to a lavishly lived new year.

SNOWFLAKE CANDLE MEMORIES

Snowflake Candles

Snowflake Candles

Last Christmas, our little town had over 22 inches of snow on Christmas week. This is a time I treasure each year because so many wonderful things seem to happen so fast. I was snowed in alone for the first time in my life and felt very nostalgic as I wrote my blog post. People have told me all year that it was their favorite of mine and have asked me to repost. I’ve always loved this phrase, and now I get to use it... “Back by popular demand,” I am reposting my Snowflake Candles. Hope you like it.

This is the first time in my entire life that I have been snowed in alone. It’s quite remarkable really, considering that I spent many years living in the snow belt of Lake Erie and Warren Ohio. Oh yes, we were snowed in quite often there, but there were always children then and lots of family. Now, my children are grown and live in their own homes. In many ways, the snowstorm has allowed me to experience calm and peace. How can anyone ask me to go anywhere or do anything for them now? I am trapped. I am snowed in, with no hope of emerging for many days. Oh, so sad..tee hee.

Our Virginia Department of Transportation is working overtime trying to clear Interstate 81. Travelers are trapped in their cars. Until the trucks that frequent this highway that were abandoned for lack of gas and heat, are towed, the crews cannot clear our city and county roads much less Interstate 81.

In many ways I feel fortunate. Other storms in the past, have caused power outages here at Woodloft. My lights flickered only once this time so far, in a teasing way. Being alone with heat and lights makes it all so bearable. But…the quiet…it is so quiet…so surreal.

Candles displayed in the snow

Another display in the snow

When I first stated that I was going to post my Magical Christmas week, I had no idea what was ahead. Sometimes it’s best to take things as they come. I am now in tune to creating a beautiful Woodloft Christmas, even if I may not have the food or the gifts I had hoped to purchase. One way or another, Christmas will happen at some point but, I never would have guessed that I might be having my own “Merry Little Christmas.” Me? The person who loves to entertain and loves a crowd, especially family?

My friend Kyle offered me a bottle of water a few weeks ago on the Farmer’s Market. She and her husband Dave have a booth next to mine. I was amazed at the beautiful bottle in which the water was held. It had dazzling snowflakes all over the surface. Kyle and Dave create kiln fired glass bottles shaped to become cheese trays. Kyle told me where she had purchased them. She said she hoped I’d give her the bottles after I drank the water. She wanted to “smoosh” them. That is the way she and Dave describe the process they use to kiln fire the bottles.

I took Kyle’s advice and bought many of the Evian bottles of water. I knew I wanted to do something unique with them but was not sure what at the time. I thought about putting water inside and adding a single rose or other flowers. Then the idea came to me to use a simple white candle in each bottle.

I had to drink a lot of the water over the last few days but here they are, serene and delicate looking, just like snowflakes.

Aren’t they beautiful in the snow? I’ll move them inside soon but for now, I am luxuriating in their splendor.

Single tapered candle

Sometimes, the simple things we do in life can have a profound effect. I love this candelabra and it cost me only the price of the bottles of water and inexpensive white candles. I am so glad I shopped for the white candles for the bottles last week, otherwise, I might be showing you plain bottles in the snow.

Tomorrow I will tell you how our family devised a new way to celebrate Christmas by spending very, very little cash for presents. We call our Christmas game, “Naughty Santa.” Wait till you see how much fun it can be. But until then, I will sit at my computer, perhaps work in the studio for awhile or maybe I'll just gaze out of my windows as I take my nostagic winter journey inward with glorious memories of Christmas past.

TIME CAPSULE

TIME CAPSULE

ONCE UPON A TIME

Very unusual "time" piece

I’ve always been intrigued with the idea of time capsules. When my children were young, we gathered together some of their toys and other everyday items like coins and newspapers. We placed them into a metal box along with a poem that we wrote and buried it in our yard in St. Louis. The poem started something like this:

“Woe be it to he, she and they who open this box before this day.”

The actual poem was longer but I can’t remember it now. As we placed the box into the ground, we were excited thinking about someone from another century finding it. We imagined the look on their faces when they discovered what life was like back in the twentieth century.

Jax's Time traveler book

It was with that in mind that I created this storybook for my new grandson, Jax. I decided that I wanted to fashion it after a “Once Upon a Time” type of story with an outer space theme.

"Once upon a time" and the Visitors from outer space

It is hard to believe that I actually found the very old time keeper ( I don’t know what it is exactly) that I placed on the front. It was stored away with steampunk type items in my studio and worked out perfectly. I set the date to his actual birthday.

Front of mysterious box where book is to be kept

I also wanted to have time appear to stand still on the day he was born. I think I accomplished it by showing each and every one of his relatives on the Dolby side of the family, as we were on that day. I know that right now I would love to have a journal or album created especially for me, exclaiming and proclaiming my birth. I would love to be perusing that sanctified book and viewing my aunts, uncles, cousins and entire family as they were on the day I was born.

View of some of the inside pages

My son Cameron, Jax's father

My parents, "The Greats"

Skyrockets and explosions from deep space...Jax is born!

I crackled and textured the box and added a mysterious key and the time keeper I had found. I placed his special book into the mysterious box I created for it.

Book placed inside of box

I’m headed for Washington D.C. this morning and I will surprise the parents with Jax’s book. I’m posting the blog just as I leave so that they can view it when I get there. Hope they like it.

HEALING WOMAN SOAPS AND CREAMS

HEALING WOMAN SOAPS AND CREAMS

Healing Woman soap and cream gift package

Many of you probably wonder why I have named my blog, “Healing Woman.” Even though my postings are very diverse and don’t always lend themselves to the subject of healing, I like to think that the stories I attach to each of my art pieces are in some way therapeutic. Words can be powerful healers and thoughts do turn into words. It is wise to choose the good ones, as Tut reminds us.

By focusing on good thoughts and words, illness can be turned around. It is important to be atuned to our bodies and I do believe that illness doesn’t shout, it whispers. Listen for the whispers.

Three soaps available now-Lavender, Rose Geranium and Lemongrass

A few years ago, I decided to create healing soaps. I wanted them to be extremely special. They couldn’t be just any soaps. I read endlessly on the subject of soap and searched until I found ingredients that I believe to be good for your skin.

Closer look

Naturally, my soaps have faces. It seems that almost everything I create has a face but I never guessed I’d be creating “soap” faces. It’s amazing where art takes you.

I decided to use all natural ingredients. I chose shea butter as the base. Unfortunately, others have discovered it’s healing properties and many cosmetic companies are having a hard time keeping it in stock. I sometimes have to wait for months for my shipment to arrive. Shea butter derives from the Karite tree which is grown in Africa and well known for it’s restorative properties. I whip the butter which makes it very creamy and luxuriant. One of my customers told me that she puts water on her face before bed and then just a little of my cream. She said it has made a tremendous difference in her skin. Her face is almost completely wrinkle free. I never have used water as the base but I’m going to try it.

I use other emollients such as coconut oil, emu oil (very good for joint pain) olive oil, just to name a small portion of the ingredients. I vary the ingredients with each new batch I make. I also use these same ingredients in my Goddess Magic Creams

Gift box

Sometimes I grind herbs such as lavender and lemongrass to a fine pulp and add them to my creams as well. I also use essential lavender oil, not the fragrant oil. Fragrant oil is synthetic and is probably the reason why some people sneeze when they are around certain fragrances. The essential oil is pure and derived from the heart of the plant.

I have packaged my soaps and creams into a gift box which includes the cream and soap and a scroll describing the healing ingredients I use.

What I have available now is lemongrass soap with lavender cream, rose Geranium soap with lavender cream and lavender soap with lavender cream. I’ll be posting more in January when I have time to make them.

You can e- mail me and we can make arrangements for shipping. I take Paypal or checks. I’m pretty sure they will arrive in most parts of the USA before Christmas with priority shipping.