Still had some more dogs in mind.  Just haven't had much time to paint.  Plus, I've been doing Mary Ann Moss's Remains of the Day Journal class (http://dispatchfromla.typepad.com/dispatch_from_la/rotdoci.html)  which is very time consuming and SLOW for me.  While it is VERY cool, I think I will only do one journal.  My studio is small and I cannot store tons of paper (beyond what I already have leftover from scrapbooking days). 

I found (I shouldn't say found because she's been around for a while and is very prolific) an artist whose work I totally am in love with and her name is Jennifer Mercede.  A couple of her pieces can be found in the Land of Nod catalog.  Her work is very FUN to look at and has childlike qualities without being childish.  It's very charming and I would love to have one of her pieces.

Another artist I'm eyeing lately is Dan Casado.  I found him through a friend and I always look for his work to post on his Flickr site (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-casado/)  His work is amazing and very fresh.  I love how he leaves a lot of his background collage work showing through.  I need to do more of that since I really do put a lot of effort into my backgrounds.  I end up covering most of my layers with more solid color and I'm trying to refrain!  It's hard to know when to stop, you know? 

Well, I hope all of you are having a very artful morning and if not, MAKE IT SO!!

Smiles!

Homemade Doll

My oldest daughter, Abby, had an environmental project to do for school.  She decided to see if she could make a doll out of materials found around the house.  This is the end result. 

The arms and legs are toilet paper cores sliced vertically and curled to make them skinnier (her idea).  The are attached with duct tape to the body which is made from part of an empty plastic water bottle.  We "stuffed" her with plastic bags and attached a plastic egg (small) with masking tape to the top of the water bottle to form her head.  Then I suggested covering her completely with masking tape to solidify and "sturdify" her body.  The stockings are made from an old sock and the top and skirt are made from flannel receiving blankets.  The design on the front of her shirt is from a kleenex box.  Her hair is an old sock and her hat is an old mismatched baby sock.  My daughter did all of the painting and decorating of the face.  Facial features are scraps of paper cut up. 

I'm so proud of her.  She's only 9 and she did most of the work (minus the sewing of the clothes).  Her project was well received by her teacher and although no grades were given on these, I give it an A++!!

Good job Abby!  I love you hun!

Here's a picture of Abby (and her friend Udani) with her doll:

This photo was from the "Academy Awards" night where all of the projects (movies and science projects) were shared...hence the dressy attire.  They had a great time! 

Lastly, here's a cute shot of Abby getting out of the limo they staged outside of the school for photo ops.  The organizers of the evening did so much work and many of the kids dressed to the 9s.  Abby played along and threw her head back as if she were a famous person...well, she is to me anyway!

 

Hope you all are enjoying life...I'm enjoying the many blessings in mine!