Did you ever notice that car shadows look like Shrek?
Modern Love Robots
February 23, 2007
I have been procrastinating an unbelievable amount... swore this morning that I wouldn't do anything else until I at least finished one project. So, here is Modern Love Robot II & it's going to join the first one in a local shop (I'll pull it off of etsy). This weekend I'll also photograph some other projects I've started and see if I can get some more cleared off my desk.
Now I'm off to shovel before I can drive out!
Now I'm off to shovel before I can drive out!
Monday Morning Motivation?
February 19, 2007
I guess there's some days when nothing motivates you except the need to get the darned project done already.
Snowed In
February 14, 2007
It was so refreshing to wake up this morning and see all the whiteness out the window. Here are my feet, buried already before noon. It is so peaceful and beautiful when it snows - I really love it. (That's my tripod next to me)
Here's one project I thought we'd get to today. I ordered an "L" for my daughter's bedroom wall and she will be decorating it with scrapbook papers she picked up at the local shop. There are wonderful fonts to pick from - check out this site to see the selection. The ones that Deb has decorated herself are fantastic, and inspiring, too!
My daughter sprained her thumb, so I don't think we'll get to this one yet... If she can't do homework because of the pain, then she can't work on this either. When it is done, we'll post pictures here.
Can't believe I forgot to list my item
February 7, 2007
Well, since Valentine’s Day is only a week away, you’d think I would have realized that I should list at least one robot for sale! Well, here it is at my etsy shop... the rest that I can complete will either be listed very soon or brought to a local shop. I'll definitely put pictures of each one here, too.
Did you know that Modern Love Robots have been known to generate marriage proposals? (really!) It's something to do with their very technical wiring and programming.
Did you know that Modern Love Robots have been known to generate marriage proposals? (really!) It's something to do with their very technical wiring and programming.
Monday Morning Motivation
February 5, 2007
How do I get my ideas?
I get inspired by things around me on a daily basis but how do I translate that into a piece of art? I use a couple of different methods to flesh out ideas, so I’ll talk about them over the next couple of weeks.
Sometimes it’s an image, a quote, or an emotion. Sometimes it’s a color or occasion. I approach creating the idea in different ways, depending on how abstract the concept. When it’s a fabric, that’s usually the easiest for me. For example, when I saw a blue scalloped fabric it was easy to picture it being the tail of a mermaid – and what a hit she made! I’m saving a grey fabric with scales on it for making a monster/creature doll, because it reminded me of Maurice Sendack’s drawings.
For an example on how I take these to the next step - what do I create for Valentine’s day? Well, do I create a doll that’s: holding a bouquet of flowers, looking pretty, or sexy and seductive in some lingerie? Or do I take the concept further and work with Valentine concepts – a cupid? Or how about hearts? The doll’s body can be constructed of one giant heart shape, or each piece can be a heart shape; some elongated for arms and legs, curvy ones for a torso and hips, connected in clever ways. Or I can manipulate the print of a fabric for the entire piece, sculpting features bringing to life a doll out of the print (do the fabrics look like chocolate or conversation hearts, or country calico? Can these be faces, cheeks, clothes?) Should my doll be inside a heart? What about a real-life heart shape? (a little creepy there, but it can be done!) How about colors? Red and pink are tied to this day – just looking at things and fabrics that are red and pink can be inspiring. Can a regular object that you love, or your recipient love, be made in red? Wouldn’t that evoke some passion? Hence my red Modern Love series of robots (yes, I’m still working on a few more – wouldn’t be a series if not!)
This method of taking the concept one step further can be used for any holiday or season –think of Halloween pumpkins, winter snowflakes, St. Patrick’s Day. When asked to donate a doll to a local auction last St. Patrick’s Day, it took me quite a while to come up with something original and unique. But when I did, it was a hit. Naturally, I started out with ideas for a leprechaun character and drew dozens of poses. But they all seemed too ‘typical’. Then I started thinking about what’s associated with this occasion? Shamrocks. Ok – how to use shamrocks? Ever see a lady leprechaun – dressed only in shamrocks? Or shamrock print fabric? Well, I decided to create a shamrock fairy with the stem and leaf being the shape of the body and wings. Then I added arms and a head. Wow! It was a great doll and it went to someone who really wanted it. While I was working on that one, I simultaneously made a second one with some slight variations. It did not look like a shamrock to me – she looked like a dragonfly fairy. Walla – another character born. Now she lives in
Owl birthday present
February 3, 2007
I made this last night for my friend's daughter - she loves the color blue and is 'into' owls lately. It's 1" x 1.5" and hangs from a ribbon necklace. Made of synthetic felt pieces. I used a clip art owl as my design basis and built up from there. I may have to make a few more of these in different colors, it came out really cute!
Modern Love Robot
Finally, Robot ML07-W is complete! Created from a re-purposed Pendelton wool scarf, some wool felt, hardware findings, beads and a button. From his feet to the top of his antennae he's 7.5" tall and gently tilts back so he can look up at you {adoringly} from his shelf. A little recess in his chest, covered by tulle, shows his little red heart.
A couple of close-ups are at my flickr account.
One down, how many more can I do in the next week?
