Thursday, April 18, 2013

Demo doll making at the Folk Art Center

I will be a demonstrating artist at The Southern Highland Craft Guild's Folk Art Center off the Blue Ridge Parkway, in Asheville, NC this Friday-Sunday from 10-4.  Doll making is a slow process, I hope it won't be boring!  I thought of bringing fire jugglers and sword swallowers to add some spice to the demo.  But after some consideration, maybe not.  It is what it is.  Below are a few of the dolls I will be bringing that are for sale.





Monday, March 11, 2013

Me and my dolls in Verve!

Recently I was interviewed by Bridget Conn for Verve magazine.  A nice story about me and my doll making.  She made me sound way cooler than I actually am.  Thanks Bridget!



Monday, March 4, 2013

James and the Giant Peach doll

A doll group in Asheville invited me to participate for an exhibit at the Asheville Children's Library.  The challenge was to pick a children's book and make a doll figure of it.  I chose Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach.  Challenging it was, I about gave up when I got to all the insects.  I meant to take pictures of the process, but then forgot to pick up the camera after the early stages until it was finished.  At any rate, here are the pictures I took of my effort.

There will be an artist reception on thursday, March 7 from 5:30 - 7:00 at the Pack Memorial Library downstairs in the children's section. 






Sunday, December 30, 2012

Evolution of a Work Table and Happy New Year

So a couple of days after Christmas, after a little break from being productive, I went back into the studio room of my little bungalow and decided I would paint a picture.  I stared at a blank canvas for about a half hour, hunched over in the little cubicle I had made with doors on saw horses and an old pine kitchen table.  Pondering, I remembered a work table I admired at a friends winter solstice party and the next thing you know I was redoing my work space, it was time.   The table was the easy part, cleaning out the utility shelves on the perimeter of the room was the hard part, dust and art supply catalogues dating back to 2003!  A three day can of worms, but totally worth it.  So now I'm back where I started 3 days ago, staring at a blank white canvas but at a new revamped work space.  I'm excited and inspired for 2013 and I hope you are too!

A seasoned carpenter could have made a perfect work table, like my friends, but I'm not that, so I am pretty happy with it.  How I made my work table:


 I put my wood table on 8" bed risers, in the middle of the room,  so I can stand to work or sit at a high stool style chair (I'm 5'11", so this is good)

 Then I measured 2x4 boards, wood glued and nailed together to rest on the edges of the risers, it worked great!

 I measured boards and placed them across the bottom to store supplies, notching out the corners for the  table legs

 Then I centered two 24" x 80" flush doors on top of the table, securing them with 2 flat brackets and wood screws where they meet on the ends and underside overlaps.  Also 2 1" corner brackets on each side of the table with wood screws to the edge of the table and underside of the doors.  8 corner brackets totaled made it very secure.

Voila,  my new work table!  a 48"x 80" surface, with a storage shelf underneath.  It's plenty sturdy and can all be taken apart should the occasion ever arise!  Now back to making stuff . . . 

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Doris and Maisie"
acrylic on wood

My next show will be with small paintings and dolls at The Big Crafty in Asheville, NC on Dec 2nd.  Doris and Maisie will be there too!

I have much to be thankful for and I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  Drive safely!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands!

Been busy, busy, busy, gearing up for the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands right here in Asheville, NC, Oct 18-21 downtown at the civic center.  Stop by and see me and my dolls if you are in town!  Below are a couple of new pieces I'll be bringing to the show.



Saturday, September 8, 2012

Sept/Oct show schedule

I can't believe summer has slipped away and the fall shows are upon me.  I've been very busy building up pieces for the shows and I hope all of them find new homes!  Here is my schedule, in case you are in the neighborhood:

Art in Autumn, Weaverville, NC Sept. 15th  - Showing Dolls and Paintings

Art on Main, Hendersonville, NC Oct. 6th and 7th - Showing Dolls

Craft fair of the Southern Highlands,  Asheville, NC Oct. 18th - 21st - Showing Dolls


 "Wall Flower"

 "Tuxedo and the Laundry"