Our winter was very mild and some plants managed to survive. Spring has "sprung" early and some people are already planting their tomatoes and bedding plants.
Our first Amaryllis...so beautiful
Delightful Johnny-Jump-Ups
Holly Fern that lived throught the winter
Asparagus Fern that has completely filled this huge pot.
Maidenhair Fern
Climbing Fern which is very invasive.
This is an old bath tub we sunk into the ground to house the statue.I plan to mosaic the tub this summer.....
Alice in Wonderland....these wonderful characters are just so much fun to create. I have started a new series I think. So far, I have sculpted the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter...more figures are on the drawing board. These figures are approximately 7" high and sculpted from paper clay. They stand on wood cubes with decopauged pictures of original Alice in Wonderland pictures. Both have found new homes...
The White Rabbit
The Mad Hatter
I have become addicted to "Pinterest" a wonderful new website where people can "pin" pictures of items that interest them on a "board". There is everything under the sun on that site..from tutorials to beautiful pictures of garden, flowers, art work, etc. It is truly a place to become inspired...and I have started a new hobby...crocheting..I had no idea there were so many beautiful items being made from crochet...and there is freeform crochet, certainly works of art. I purchased two books and also found that you can actually get tutorials on youtube. What would I do without my computer???
So, my first project is covering a chair that is in my studio. This is not my idea, but saw it on Pinterest and immediately fell in love. Oh, if you want to go to Pinterest, click on that button on the left side of my blog and it will take you there..
This is a chair my daughter painted for me, so I hope she does not mind if I cover some of it with crochet...as soon as I have three more granny squares crocheted, I will put them all together to cover the seat.
Stay tuned...I am having more fun with this.
I love solar lights and we have managed to start a collection of them to put in our back yard...here are a few pictures of our lights at night. This summer, I plan to check out the stores and see what new lights may be on the shelves.
This light changes color and lights up the statue
A shot of my studio lit up at night
Wishing everyone a "Happy New Year" ...... a year of good fortune, good health, good friends and for those of us who love to create..hoping our Muse stays with us throughout the year.
This Lunar Fairy that I created several years ago is one of my favorites..I hope you enjoy seeing her again.
Christmas Eve 2011 is here..we will celebrate with each other and our sweet Scottie, Barney...Our daughter and her husband will be over tonight to ride around and look at the lights...a tradition.
We are all thankful to be in good health and have each other
Time flies and another Christmas is here
The Candles are lit
Tiny trees from Christmases past are placed among the greens
Antique red Christmas balls and sparkly ice branches
A family heirloom bows her head in prayer
A sweet Angel contemplates the Season
Ornaments on the tree bring back memories
Presents under the tree waiting for the grandchildren and great grandchildren to arrive the following week-end.
And maybe if he is good, this kind Gentleman will leave our sweet Barney a gift under the tree tonight........Merry Christmas
We had a wonderful week-end beginning with a visit to the Museum of Art in Jackson, Ms. along with the new Art Garden.
Although I enjoyed all the art work, my favorite was the "Bethlehem Tree" which was inspired by the "Angel Tree" in the New York City Metropolitan Museum of Art. The collection consisted of handcrafted Italian figures found through private venues and auction houses such as Sotheby's and Christie's. It was breathtaking and I was truly inspired.
The following pictures were taken from a book I own... "The Angel Tree" which gives the history and beautiful pictures of the actual Angel Tree at the Metropolitan Museum of Art....and The Bethlehem Tree was as beautiful as the original.
" And unto us a child is born"
"The Son of man shall send forth his angels..."
We left the Museum and headed to Thalia Mara Hall to see the "Snow Queen" ballet inspired by The Hans Christian Andersen Classic. Ballet Magnificat was founded by Keith and Kathy Thibodeaux attracting dancers from professional companies worldwide to spread the word of Jesus Christ through dance. The ballet was magnificent with beautiful music, gorgeous costumes and talented dancers...
The end to a wonderful week-end
The Winter White Christmas Santa is a 12" figure sculpted from puppen fimo with arms that can be posed. He stands on his base with the brass rod and tube method for easy shipping. I dressed him in a soft cream fabric trimmed with antique appliques and antique buttons. His beard and hair are a beautiful real mohair and he has real blue glass eyes. The Celluloid deer is dressed out in antique lace and appliques. The base has faux snow with glass glitter and trimmed with gold leaf. He will soon be heading to his new home.
A tiny 5" fairy/witch figure and my first Christmas Figure...a tiny Snow Princess.... The Fairy/Witch has been sold and the Snow Princess is in my Etsy Shop
This past week-end was beautiful for hot-air balloons in Natchez, MS. As usual, family and friends gathered and enjoyed just being together, the fabulous weather and of course the balloons. We always get together high on the bluffs over looking the Mississipp River for a great view.
My Great Grand Children on the walk way over looking the river.
I love this picture. Cameron, Lilly and their mother Niki looking at the river.
Linda aka Gourdqueen and her grand-son playing with bubbles
Niki, Linda, Lilly and Orvelle...my better half
Apparently geese migrating
Throwing the bean bag trying to hit the target.
THE END OF A GLORIOUS WEEK-END
This Fairy Witch is a 12" figure sculpted from puppen fimo with legs and arms that can be posed. I dressed her in silk fabric and silk ribbons with mixed media wings ( I understand that wings are faster than a broom). She has green artist made eyes and red wool for her hair. I gave her a stool to sit on although she can be placed where ever you may need a Witch or a Fairy. She carries pumpkins which can be removed if you wish to display her year round.
She is for sale in my Etsy Shop
This tiny 7" Figure is sculpted from paper clay over a strong wire armature. She is dressed in hand dyed silk and antique lace; her headdress is an antique silver piece. The wings are mixed media and her base is paper clay decorated with silver leaf. She is OOAK never to be created again. The Silver Fairy is for sale in my Etsy Shop .
This is a day we will always remember and hope that it will never happen again.
God Bless America....
The Deep Water Mermaid lives deep in the ocean and comes to the surface once in awhile for a little sun and relaxation. She is a 7" figure sculpted from puppen fimo with artist made eyes. The rock she rests on is sculpted from paper clay and decorated with shells, crushed mother of pearl, mother of pearl beads and sculpted barnacles. She can be found for sale in my Etsy Shop She is OOAK, never to be created again...
A tiny 9" Red Head Witch is now residing in my Etsy Shop. She has been in an Art Gallery and I decided it was time for her to return to me. I sculpted her from puppen fimo including her clothes and boots. A stockinette dyed eggplant purple and trimmed with copper paint was draped over her. She has gorgeous red mohair for hair and eyelashes. The base is decorated with beautiful mosaic tiles.
This tiny Pixie Witch, which is a favorite of mine and being used as my avatar, has flown off to a wonderful new home.
I finally have gotten in the mood to create some ornaments and this is the first..he is big measuring about 10" in diamenter and 10" from the top to the bottom of his tassle. Sculpted from paper clay with handmade eyes and painted with acrylics and sealed; he sports a yarn tassle with beads. He can be found for sale over on "Halloween Queen's Castle Bootique" . More ornaments in the works, so stay tuned. As with everything I create, he is One of a Kind (OOAK). He has left for his new home...SOLD.
Today is May 15, 2011. The river crest has been lowered from 64' to 63.5' and today it stands at 61.67'. Most of my pictures are taken from the bluffs in Natchez, but I did manage to get some pretty good pictures while riding across the bridge to Vidalia and back to Natchez. Also, don't forget to check with the Natchez Democrat Newspaper for more pictures and information.
Click on each picture for larger views.
This is the old Belwood Country Club.
The port in Natchez
Coast Guard in Natchez, Ms.
For those not familiar with the region, this photo shows a home high on the bluffs in Natchez, Ms. in contrast to the low land or "Delta" across the Mississippi River in Vidalia, La.
Vidalia, River front
Parking lot at the River Front Medical Center
Promise Hospital on the Vidalia, river front
Walk way along the Vidalia river front
Coast Guard has instructed the river traffic to slow down to keep the wave action off the coast line
Vidalia Convention Center
The left side of the picture is Louisina and the right side is Mississippi
Thank you Sarah Young of "Art Dolls Only" for the really nice interview about my art dolls. If you have time drop by and visit with this group.
Today's date is 5/13/2011. I took more pictures today from the bluff in Natchez, Ms. overlooking the Mississippi River. These pictures are showing the water levels in Vidalia, La. The river is now at 59.81 feet.
I have had so many hits on my blog that I would like to recommend to those who are interested to click on the website of the Natchez Democrat Newspaper. They have so much information regarding the flood...pictures, videos, panoramas and river webcams.
For larger pictures click on each picture.
This is the River Park Medical Center. Here you can see the walkway is completely covered and the river now covers the walkways that extend out into the river. It appears the water is up to the barriers surrounding the building.
Comfort Inn, the walkways are covered and the water is up to the sandbags
Promise Hospital is surrounded by water but protected by the barriers
The water is almost to the top of the levee at this location
Convention Center
Natchez Under the Hill, You can see just a tip of the bank
What use to be Belwood Country Club in Natchez
On the Natchez side, the Coast Guard Building
The following pictures were taken on May 7,2011 high on the bluffs in Natchez Miss. The Mississippi was at 54 ft. It should crest at 64 ft around May 21st. The buildings you see are all in Vidalia, La. across the river from Natchez, with the exception of this first picture.
Click on each picture for them to enlarge.
This is Silver street under the Hill in Natchez, MS.
A view of the bloated river from the bluffs in Natchez, MS.
Comfort Inn and the building that use to be a restaurant.
River Park Medical Center
Vidalia Dock and Storage
Promise Hospital
River Park Medical Center. you can see the walkways that extend out into the river
Forest Fairy is a 9" full body sculpt from Puppen Fimo polymer clay. She has hand made green eyes and red mohair for hair. Her headdress is made from beautiful glass beads woven into gold wire with silk leaves. I dressed her in dyed gauze, which I believe a Forest Fairy would probably wear. She stands on a base decorated with stones, moss, mushrooms and beads. She is flying to her new home.
When getting ready to start a new figure, I begin to pull out my stash and see just what I have that may inspire me. Or just walking in my garden will inspire me...here are a few of my favorite things.
Wings that I have made and also purchased from other artists.
Just some of the antique lace I have in my stash
I have a lot of lamb's wool and mohair because I use to make santas and still do, but just not as many..but yummy wool still catches my eye
Hand dyed silk ribbon...love it
"Through the Looking Glass" illustrated by Anne Bachelier . I must make Alice all dressed in white with that piece of silk I had hand dyed for her sash.
I usually do not like artificial flowers, but I made this arrangement in one of my favorite vases by Buck Run Pottery and I love these colors.
These are just a few things that inspire me...there are so many more, movies, books, people, buttons, fabric, especially silk and velvet.
