Ira and Irvington Iceman

Where is the time flying?  Tomorrow is December 1, already, and I have so much work to get done in a matter of days.  I guess taking some time off in October, and the time lost due to a bad back that resulted from scrubbing floors (that should teach me), and now the Christmas tree farm opening last week, has really made time move at lightening speed.  I think I need a time machine...do you think Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper already sold the one they purchased online?  

I did manage to finish "Ira" this past week so here he is shown posing with his brother, "Irvington".  Both have over sized top hats, rosy cheeks, carrot noses, paper mache candy canes, and peppermint buttons, but they couldn't agree on hat-bands, scarves vs. bow ties and vest colors, so they are definitely unique in their character.   



"Ira" insisted that his vest and matching hat-band be green in color to match the holly and mistletoe he is so fond of.  He also feels strongly that Santa is the only jolly fellow that can carry Christmas red in his attire, so he discouraged "Irvington" from choosing red for his vest as well.

"Ira" is also carrying a winter bouquet of pine cones, berries and holly leaves along with two candy canes to share with his sweetheart, "Irma".  (FYI...those little candy canes are more difficult to sculpt and paint than one would like to think so there is another reason they are only carrying two of them.) 

Both of these little fellows are signed, dated and numbered and will be the only two standing snowmen for the season. 

Hope you like them!!
Laurie

Thanksgiving Wishes and a Nearly Completed Snowman

I have the turkey in the refrigerator along with the yams, celery and other ingredients necessary for building the traditional foods for a Thanksgiving dinner.  As I'm sitting here thinking about the preparation yet to come this evening, my mind is rushing with childhood memories of Thanksgiving dinners from the past.  I can remember driving to Aunt Sis's house and the hoards of family members that would be there gathered for the food and festivities.  Of course being the youngest in the family I was at the children's table in the basement, but we always had ways to amuse ourselves with mashed potato mountains, whipped topping mustaches or tales from an older sibling of a finger accidentally dipping into one of the pies or cakes prior to the dinner starting.  We were young and untouched by much of today's worries, and I have to admit I'm thankful I was raised in a simpler time that moved more slowly where one could take the time to enjoy the little things in life...like whipped topping mustaches!  I'm thankful for those memories and I'm thankful we have the opportunity to make new memories with our families tomorrow.   I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.  

I also wanted to share with you the progress made on one of the little winter snowmen.   Irvington Iceman is almost finished, so I put his tree and candy canes in his hands for a quick photo shoot.  He already has lots of details completed on his top hat, scarf and mint-buttoned vest, but I still need to get a few washes of color on him below his vest, plus a few touch ups here and there. 

I see I also need to work on smoothing out the wash around his right eye and the black spot on his forehead, too.  Guess I better get to work on him before Thanksgiving preparation begins tonight!

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Laurie

More Winter Figures

The paper mache is flying and it looks like I'm wearing as much of it as I'm managing to get on the figures I have started. The current work table would put a five year-old's ability to make a mess to shame, and for the life of me I don't know why I'm being such a "mess maker" right now.  I guess we all have our moments so here is hoping it passes soon.   Through all of the mess I was able to finish the second snowman, plus I have two Santa heads finished on cone shaped bodies.
 

The tall Santa is just under 26" tall and is taking forever to dry.  I still need to complete his shoulders and arms, as I need to on the shorter Christmas fellow, but I need the heads and bodies dry enough before beginning those additions.   They should actually look more like Father Christmas figures when they are finished.



I have two tree-topper snowmen started as well so I better get back to work on those two characters so I have something to share next week.  Oh that's right, next week is Thanksgiving and then we open the Christmas tree farm...how did that happen so quickly?!!  Yikes, off to work I go!

Have a great weekend and happy Thanksgiving planning!

Laurie

Back in the Studio

Yikes, has it really been an entire month since I last posted?!!! How did that happen?   I would love to say I was off doing something fun, but I was actually busy deep cleaning the house, which consequently put me flat on my back for 10 days.  Seems as though scrubbing floors on my hands and knees does not agree with my lower back.  Fortunately for me it was only muscular so if I'm careful I shouldn't repeat that little episode. (famous last words)  Any of you suffering with chronic back pain now has my deepest sympathy!

I was able to get back to work on Monday, and now have a few works in various stages of development.  This little fellow, Dapper Snowman, is now fully sculpted and is currently drying on the rack with a tall Santa.  With our interior humidity at only 40% it shouldn't take too long for the paper mache clay to dry.   I'll continue sculpting for the next few days knowing that if the mood to paint hits me I should be able to switch over very soon.  I need to switch it up to keep things interesting.

I'm off to go work on the second snowman, to build more top hats and to get some candy cups sculpted.   It will only be a few weeks before the tree farm opens so I need to get crack-a-lackin'!  Oh dear, I just remembered we are getting some pre-cut trees this year...I sure hope Mr. Monkey-Cats doesn't need help unloading those 75 frazier firs!  Ouch!

I hope you all have a great day! 
Laurie