Clay, Glorious Clay

I'm mixing paper mache clay daily right now trying to get an inventory of bases and head blanks dried so I can begin the detail work on planned pieces.  I love mixing the clay in ziplock bags so that I can knead the paper mache without having an inch of material sticking to my fingers as I work.  I also have to admit I use a bag so that I can toss it on the floor, take a shoe off and use my foot to do part of the kneading since breaking a wrist several years ago.  It helps save the wrist power for the final kneading.

See why I call it clay?  It reminds me of a stoneware or earthenware clay texturally at this point, and essentially any ceramic building technique can also be used with this paper mache clay.

Here are a few of the figures in progress since the forms don't look like much at this point.  Arms need to be added, bodies built, boots added, etc.

The clay and my computer keyboard are not compatible (the dried chips like to hide under the keys) so I'll be off of the computer again most of this week. 

Hope you enjoyed a quick look!
Laurie

Moritmer is Done!

"Valentine Jester, Mortimer Monkey", is finished!  The final brown glazing was completed yesterday so it is time to take his final photographs and get him ready for shipping.

This was a fun week to take photographs of his progression and share the process with you.  Thank you for joining in the fun!

Off to go finish his photographs, and then it is back in the studio to work on another piece today. 

Have a great weekend!
Laurie

Day 3 Monkey WIP Update

The little jester monkey holding a heart is almost finished so this is a look at the conclusion of day three’s painting.  I have some final glaze detailing to finish under the edge of his garment and a few touch ups and I think he will be done today.  

Lots of little details on this fellow including many tiny painted hearts inside of hearts bordering his garment plus a few on his jester hat.  I've enjoyed sharing the progress of painting with you and hope to have one final shot later today or tomorrow to show him in his finished state. 

The sun is shining so I’m off to go paint…have a great weekend all!

Laurie

Day 2 Mortimer Monkey Update

The little monkey character is coming along and as promised here is an update on the progress.  His hat is almost done with the addition of details and the jingle bells, and the face is coming along as well.  The collar and garment are today’s focus in paint and some more work on the face.  Back to the painting for me!   The evolution continues!

Have a great day...that's my plan!
Laurie

The Little Jester, Mortimer Monkey WIP

I had several collectors ask me last year to consider sculpting a few monkeys in 2012, so this is my first attempt at a new monkey character.  I had planned to have him done for PFATT Marketplace, but he just wouldn't cooperate and dry, so that deadline was missed due to damp paper mache.

He was finally dry enough yesterday I was able to do some initial blocking in with color and thought I would show you several photographs of his development over the next few days. 

Hope you like him so far...stay tuned!

Laurie 

Benjamin Bunny Candy Cup

Our winter in the central part of the country has been very much like early Spring.  I have actually gone out some mornings with nothing more than a polar fleece on as a jacket and been quite comfortable.  Because of the mild temperatures teasing us about the weather to come in late March and April, my mind has already made a mental jump to Spring!  This inspired the little painted candy cup, Benjamin Bunny.

Benjamin is a new painted bunny design for 2012, that is being unveiled on this candy cup.  He is shown on the front of the cup with his hand holding an Easter egg (or Spring egg if you choose), with the colors of spring surrounding him in circular shapes placed in the background, and a scalloped design forming the cups top border.  The handle is made from a soft copper colored wire to coordinate with the containers color key.    Benjamin is painted in beige, browns and peach tones with a blue bow tie with spots.

The back of the candy cup has a small painted egg to repeat the design motif, that appears suspended by a fine painted ribbon from the borders edge.

This little candy cup will be available tomorrow, Tuesday, January 10, on PFATT Marketplace at 10 a.m. Pacific time at:  SOLD-Thank you!!

http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/monkeycats.html

Hope he tickles your Spring fancy...did I just hear a forecast of snow?! 

Laurie

Happy New Year!!!

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe that an entire year has come and gone so quickly. Thank you to all of you for your support, inspiration and encouragement throughout 2011, and for making my blog part of your routine reading. I couldn't do what I do without you!!

My wish for all of you is that you have a wonderful 2012, and that is prosperous for you in both body and spirit. 

Now, as my little skelly fellow would say,  "Go out and enjoy that great big wonderful world and knock'em dead!" ( I didn't say he was a philosopher.)

Happy New Year to all of you!
Laurie