Squish Squash

Squish Squash got his body colors yesterday and here he is...still minus his little bucket which is outside drying. He has a little orange cape that goes over his vest and of course has a bow tie to cover his skinny little neck. You will also notice that his arms and fingers look spindly and vine-like.

When I first made the head my husband said it reminded him of a conehead, but I was just going for a big head to hold lots of brains. Kind of like the intellect of the squash family. You see, there are terribly nasty squash vine borers and cucumber beetles that carry viruses that kill the entire vine and consequently all of the squash. So in my crazy little brain I dream up that nature being as wonderful as it is, develops this "super smart" squash (still with me) that also due to the size of it's head is heavier than normal. This smart little squash has the ability to recognize these nasty pests in the garden and can roll over and squish the nasty bugs before they can do any damage, thus protecting his brothers and sisters on the vine. Because this little guy was the first to develop this technique he was given the nickname, "Squish." He is a proud little guy and very willing to share his knowledge and that explains him being all dressed up...he is now doing a lecture tour to gardens around the country. He just might show up in your neighborhood so keep an eye out for him...I know the bugs are!!

Have a great week!!
Laurie

Something new....

Sorry for being absent this past week. I was trying to sculpt and finish up some details on a few pieces and ran into a snag. I opened a new bag of paper mache mix and evidently there was more powder binder in this bag than normal because my hands started cracking and the clay was setting up within a 10 to 15 minute period of being mixed...which isn't normal!! When my hands started having a burning tingle as I put them in water I knew it was time to stop and rethink what I was doing. Because my hands needed a day out of the clay I painted yesterday and have the initial coats on two of the Haunted Harvest figures' heads....now, they aren't done, but I have a start on them and thought I would show you what I have been up to.


Lillian Lumina and Squish Squash....they are distant cousins.

Lillian has a bit more work to be done on her lips as I got carried away with her lip gloss....

and I have more layers of glazing to do on the surface of Squish Squash's head. You'll learn more about his name as the figure is completed.

Today is laundry and more painting...I told my husband we need a wife to cook and clean for us and he just smiled at me. I'm not sure what he meant with that smile and decided it was best not to ask.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the Mad Tea Party today!! (I wanted to play but other obligations got in my way!! )

Laurie

EHAG Gorey Tribute Challenge Piece is Done!!

It's done!! I finished the Ode to Edward Gorey Orb last night and here it is below. The first image is the spider web design at the top that covers the night sky.

Dancing pumpkin figure shown...
The cemetery keeper's house with the ghost...

The "Gorey" cemetery keeper just inside the gates walking down the path...

Large Pin Oak and monument with "Gorey" cats and....

Sir Jack Spinner, my signature and date on the bottom.

This was such an interesting experience for me and I was shocked that this 5.5" diameter sphere took so long to complete. Then I measured the circumference and realized it is 16 inches around and it started to make more sense to me why I went through 5 India Ink pens over the 3 days and 24 hours it took me to complete this. Lots of little details and no idea how many lines are on the surface of this piece. As I finished the orb my admiration for Edward Gorey and his work soared and I need to thank the EHAG Moderators for giving me this challenge!!

This will be a one-time piece. I love pen and ink, but it is not suited for the paper mache surface and it is better left to those whose work I admire so much!! With that said, I hope to have the auction link up later tonight or tomorrow!

Have a great weekend and thank you for all of the support this week. Now, go to the bookstore and pick up one of Edward Gorey's books and enjoy the illustrations. He is so inspiring!
Laurie