New Work……No Words

More Mood Indigo

Here's the second piece in - for want of a better title - I'm calling the "Mood Indigo" series. Lots of references to books, words and poetic ideas in this one. This is a mixed media assemblage piece: the head is cloth over air-dry clay, painted with artist's acrylics with inserted "pages" made from water-colour paper; the torso and hands are sewn fabric, painted; bundle of painted sticks in the lower opening of the box and there is a tiny glass phial containing a scrap of peer with a poem on it held in the hands.

……and something a little more prosaic - a tiny baby - jointed cloth body with needle-sculpted hands and feet, cloth over clay head painted with artist's acrylics, hand-knit leggings and cap and cotton gauze smock-top:

A Few More Critters

I've been designing a few more variations on the animal-kid theme:

On my recent teaching trip to Victoria, I bought some "foxy" coloured viscose fur and some white - I really wanted to design and make a fox. Here's what I came up with:

I also made a little white bear - not quite as challenging as the fox, but cute too! These are such fun to make.

A Bit Of Indigo

I love the colour indigo……such a dark mysterious blue!
My latest piece is painted mostly in indigo, with a bit of white and flesh colour thrown in. But the overall mood is indigo: Mood Indigo.

A Little Designing

I've made quite a few of these little children in animal outfits - just rabbits and hedgehogs so far. I've also taught a few classes to show people how to make their own. Now I've been designing a few more variations…..the fox will be next.

Contemporary Craft Retreat

Next month I'll be heading off to Canberra for the Contemporary Craft Retreat where I have two classes over three days. In the two-day class the students will be tackling something like this:

It's a fairly challenging project, but with pre-sewn bodies and pre-made head blanks, they should be able to get it done in the two days. 

The other class is a little less challenging - a one-day class to make a "Sukeshi" doll. There might still be places in a few of the classes if you're quick!

New Work

Oh, my poor sadly-negected blog! I promise to give you more attention from now on.
The truth is, I've been somewhat preoccupied with getting my new old home at least comfortably liveable and time has been limited. But I've still been working, because I must, so here is a taste of what I've been making in recent weeks. And the forty-third moon!
Oh yes - I've started a new blog, as well, dedicated to my journey in getting my house renovated with a strict budget - you might like to check it out! http//www.fourteenstepstothebluedoor.blogspot.com

And now she's done!

……..except for her shoes. I'm still waiting on a delivery of small buckles so that I can finish them. But as you see, she does have a sweet bonnet which I crocheted from cotton yarn and a hand-kitted cardigan made from 4-ply merino. Underneath she has cotton drawers. I was going to make a petticoat as well, but I decided there was already enough bulk around her middle, with the dress and the pinafore, both with gathered waists. She's a sweet child…..off the the USA as soon as her shoes are done!

Hester Mae

 This little girl was made in response to a number of requests I've had to make information available on the painting of darker skin tones. As a result I've created a downloadable tutorial that is an adjunct to my "Painting Faces For Doll-makers"  PDF. Both are available as an instant download in my Etsy store 
( http://www.susiemcmahon.etsy.com )
I photographed "Hester Mae" throughout the process of painting her:

She's a sweet child waiting patiently for her finishing touches.

Luca

"Luca" is my most recently completed doll - my take on the Commedia Dell'Arte character, Arlechino, but without the usual black mask. I was attempting to create a character that was ambiguous on several levels….the gender is unspecified and the expression I was aiming for was a little enigmatic. The colours I used in painting this doll are ones I am fond of: blues and blue/greens.

Luca is an 18" jointed cloth doll with a cloth-covered air-dry clay head, painted with artist's acrylics. The clothing is part painted and part dupioni silk. The hat is stiffened  and painted felt.

Suffice it to say that the new studio is "working' well! I'm happy with this piece.