The Uninvited House Guest

I just wanted to share a photo of an overnight visitor.  Don't know how he got in but the fam found him this morning, just hanging out on the towel bar in my bathroom. 

He was safely removed to more comfortable accommodations in the garden.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

I am pleased to announce that I have been chosen as a finalist in Cloth Paper Scissors Artisan of the Year 2011 search.  I am thrilled to be included among such talented people.  You can view my entries at the following link:  http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/members/lolabu/default.aspx

I have been busy moving my studio to its new location in the room previously known as my dining room.  I am no longer relegated to the basement with the spiders.  Here are a few peeks...

Tiny Dancer

This piece is part of my ballerina series.  Taken from a vintage photograph of Anna Pawlowa, she is one of my favorites.  I wanted this piece to be simple, to showcase the beauty and grace of the dancer.  The pose is classic.  It helps me, while I’m working on a piece, to imagine the life of the person I am trying to illustrate.  Certain vintage images seem to demand my attention, to appeal to me to be recaptured, to remind those who choose to view my work of simple beauty, simpler times.  Below is the original.  Scroll down to see my collaged interpretation. 

Gone but not forgotten

It's been over a year since Michael Jackson died.  Hard to believe.  Extremely talented.  Extremely sensitive.  Misunderstood.  Vilified.  And loved by many although I'm not sure he realized this.   As a tribute to his life, I created the following collage.  It was created only for me and he joins Jim Morrison in my studio as an tribute to individualism.  They serve to remind me that life is short and it is important to use my time wisely.

True to myself

I must admit, I started posting on this blog several months ago and shared with family and friends.  I was advised to cut any self-criticism and to only post the most positive aspects of my life.  Their critiques, though well-intentioned, left me questioning myself and unhappy with my posts.    In looking over the previous posts and through contemplation, I have decided to start over and to be real, quirks and all, in hopes of revealing the real me. 

I alluded to the projects that are currently at the printer.  Below are the images I captured of these works.  I can't wait to see what a professional does with them.  I will post the comparisons as soon as I get them back.

Daphne

Felicity

I like to name my subjects as it helps me to capture their personalities as I work with them and I also incorporate vintage papers and music that compliment my image of who they were.  I use vintage photos as a jumping off point for these works.

Below are the images I captured last night as our stormy, sticky day was winding down.  The eerie glow cast upon the surrounding landscape was other-worldly.

Emerge

Welcome to my new blog.  I guess you might say I'm running a little late to this party but I am now ready to share my whimsy with the world.  I want to start out by sharing a few pics of my current status - from garden to studio.

Planters gone wild!

My organic veggie patch.

 

Sweet Peas - My fav!

What do you do with an old iron crib? 

As for my art, I can't let you into my studio yet, it's far too messy at the moment, but I am really exited about my current projects.  Several are at the printer and I will show them next week when I list the prints on Etsy.  I'm not yet ready to part with the originals.  In the meantime, here's a taste of my current passion:

Lorraine - a mixed media collage. 

Balloon Girl.  I absolutely love her!