New Project in the works...A Gorgon Sister

As those of you know who follow my work, I like unusual projects and subject matter. I have in the past introduced you to some of my digital alterations that collage my photographs with vintage work by artists and scientist like Ernst Haeckle, DaVinci, Galileo, etc.

This image of a Gorgon's Head is a collage of several elements. Not knowing when to leave well enough alone...I thought I would try to bring it to three dimension in clay. And to take it even further to try to raku the piece. I love a challenge...the more remote success, the better I like the project!

After weeks of drying, then firing to bisque, it took me several more weeks to get up the nerve to glaze and do the raku firing. Those who raku know every piece stands a better chance NOT to do what you want it to do. It will crack, or the glaze not reach temperature and bubble, or if it stands the quick firing and extraction from the more than 1800 degree kiln into the 70 degree air, your tongs may chip it, or crack it...or worse still you drop it.

When in reduction...timing is critical to expose to the air again to get the colors you want...then you only have moments to freeze those colors by dousing with water. Another chance for the piece to crack.

I love raku! I love the process, the danger, the final piece... either small like my raku pendants, or large like this Gorgon's Head. This is to date my largest raku piece. Definitely my most detailed and ornate raku piece.

Though not exactly as colorful as I would have liked...she is definitely a keeper!

Now that she exists in the real world...I must make a home for her. Not until I looked into her eyes did I see this. I wonder where this adventure will lead me? I lay awake at nights trying to sort out how to protect her with out diminishing her over all presence. I think I have it figured out...so check back in a few weeks to see how this will end.

You know that if you look into a Gorgon's eyes...you will turn to stone...oh, the places this leads my imagination!!!

Only her eyes are not clay. I left a hole in the back of the piece ititally for hanging...but my imaginaion runs wild with possibilities to have those fire red eyes gaze back at you. I am a novice at electrical wiring...but this posses another challenge that I may take up. She measures 13 x 10x 3 1/2 inches.

Can you imagine opening the lid of an ancient box, covered in bones turned to stone...with warnings not to disturb...curiosity getting the best of you...and when you ease open the lid...in the darkness the Gorgon's red eyes lazer back at you?

Now only if skill can match imagination...I will have a true Curiosity for you to look at! Wish me luck!!!

So Loverly It Is...Don't You Just Love Cashmere!!!

The postman arrived today with this beautiful cashmere collar that I won as a give away at http://kerreraskye.blogspot.com

Shirley has outdone herself. This is magnificently soft and the colors will go with so much of my winter apparel. No jewelry needed when I wear this...can't wait to hear the compliments!

Be sure to visit her shop at Etsy.
www.kerreraskye.etsy.com

I'm off to audition this beauty with my navy pea coat...it's going to be Loverly!!!!

New Art from my Raku Stash

You have seen Jeniffer's work here before...she always amazes me with her original designs featuring my little raku treasures. Here are five more designs from her Etsy shop....TocadoraLeather.etsy.com. All her work is wonderful...I am just partial to seeing my little buttons on her gorgeous creations:)

If you want to get to know her and her work a little better, be sure to drop by GlassAddiction's Open Studio Friday interview with Jennifer a couple of months ago...you can find it here...http://glassaddictions.blogspot.com/2009/08/open-studio-friday_14.html

Promise it will be a good read!!

The Beating of the Drums

I love all things percussion! Rhythm, visceral, like the beating of a heart. Drums touch the core of me. Can it be those genetics from ancestors millennia ago...pulling the vibrations inward...they awakening from a deep sleep?

Special Give Away By Kerrera Skye

Go have a look and work toward receiving this beautiful cashmere collar as a give away at http://kerreraskye.blogspot.com/2009/10/giveaway-cashmere-necklet.html

Shirley has the most beautiful fiber work. The colors are always attention getters...either soft and dreamy or bright and bold.

Be sure to visit her shop at Etsy as well!

• KerreraSkye.etsy.com

My Own little Cabinet of Curiositie...

Pam at Alittlepieceofmyart.etsy.com has a contest going on that I could not resist entering. For a mere eleven dollars I got ten items to peak my imagination...really wanted the little German boy's head... and I get a chance to win money as well. The more artists that enter the more the winning pot.

Having no idea what I would do to pull all these items together...I opened the package and inspected each little item. Like a two year old...the first thing I did was pop the head off the skeleton to see if the little boys head would work there....yes!! The little leg was not a stretch of the imagination to work as well. So off to create...a necklace? That was my first impulse...but the amber pointed dangle could be dangerous! I envisioned wearing my stunning new goth masterpiece to the airport and being locked up for trying to slip on the plane with an object of destruction. I suppose you could even hold an unsavory at bay with such an item?

So wearing my new creation was out! I have been admiring Spirit Boxes for a while and thought I might have all the needed oddities to create a box. The little boys head on the skeleton reminded me of my digital collage in my cabinet of curiosities shop...Do One Thing Every Day that Freightens You. Perfect...I had plan. I had created a nice little ACEO of this one collage, with glitter and all, that would be the tie in for color scheme .

My next inspiration was from Steph at http://vladthebatsattic.blogspot.com. I received the lovely faux bone earrings that I had won in the same postal delivery that day. They were so lovely I decided to use my Spirit Box more as a jewelry display. Don't they look lovely in their little nook? I added her bracelets, and my wonderfully colorful necklace from Elsie at http://elsiee.etsy.com to the mix and I was off and running with ideas.

The display box actually fell into place rather quickly once all my little additions were in one place. Can you find the ten original contest entries? Such fun, such a challenge....hope I win!!! As I was telling Pam...I am already a winner! Look at each of my friends work, displayed not in a box hidden from view...but out in the open for stories to be told...and touched and worn and not forgotten for even a moment!

Hidden Missives

That's all I can say right now....but look very soon for a posting about folklore, fairytales, and the genius who created the Babba Yagga portrait that helped me win those gorgeous earrings by Steph at http://vladthebatsattic.blogspot.com. A rare talent herself!!!

New Etsy artisan and shop on the horizon! ...I'll treat you soon... I promise!!

Straight from the Pumpkin Patch!

I am so happy with these little guys. Could not have wanted a better firing or colors for them. They are so small... 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter.













I was playing around with an old broken deer bone and it leaves just the greatest impression in the clay...pumpkins were a must from the first beads. My hubby's idea actually. I thought it would be too much trouble to make the leaves and vines...but it was doable...is that a word? Such pretty little treasures...I don't mind if they don't sell!

I am doing my first festival in many years this Saturday in Reidsville, NC at the new Market Square. It is an afternoon event with music and food and lots of other artists as well. IF I make it through the day...will let you know how it goes. Tim Amos, a friend and fellow potter is sharing the booth with me...wish us many sells and good exposure for our work. I'll get some snaps of Tim's work and share as well.

There are so many talented potters in this area...I think maybe I should start featuring them in this blog space. I'll see what I can do about that!!

Take care and everyone have a great weekend!

Free Treasure to Purchaser of 200th Item

wondrousstrange's Shop Announcement

I am so close to my 200th sale!!! To celebrate...the purchaser who buys the 200th item will receive free one of the following items...your choice...just convo me with your selection and I will tuck it in with your order! Good luck!

1. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30402243 pumpkin beads

2. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=30441423 Halloween ornament

3. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29750232
Sliding Slim Snake pendant



Have fun looking around. Thanks to all who have written with their impressions of my work, and how certain things have brought back pleasant memories...I love hearing from you!!

I hope you will take time to view my work in closeup. I spend a lot of time trying to get detail and colors correct. Makes all the difference seeing the larger view!

I won!!! I won!!! Come see what I won!!!

Steph at Vladthebatsattic ask for a name for one of her new treasures. After some thought, I decided her new face reminded me of Babba Yagga, a Russia witch of great notoriety. Instead of a little written story...I did a digital alteration showing Babba Yagga and her home which stands on the leg of a chicken.

My alteration is from an other Halloween picture alteration in my Wondrousstrange Etsy shop.

Go visit Steph's blog to see the posting for the contest....http://vladthebatsattic.blogspot.com/2009/08/teeth.html....And her work is a must see...so viseral, so primative yet so stylishly now!

Enjoy your visit with this outstanding artist from Belgium!