My Itty Bitty Painting

This is my Itty Bitty painting that I made over the last couple of days after days and days of contemplating what I would do with this tiny canvas.  I had this crazy looking skeletal creature all ready to go but I just feel like I have to do more with that one.  I came across this sketch while I was working and thought it would make a nice painting.  I had already made a mask in a very similar design but the drawings of mask designs have a completely different feel than the actual mask itself.  These past few weeks have been hard for me and I needed a little bit of light, so that's where I went.  I think it turned out o.k. for my first time back to painting in many, many years and I'm getting ready to go downtown to turn it in for the little art show I made it for. 

So, This New Thing I'm Doing is Pretty Darn Fun

I recently joined "Humboldt Art Abandonment" where us artsy people "abandon" pieces of their work here in Humboldt County or along their travels to other places.  Last week, I abandoned my first piece.  A mini mask that I had made and was going to save for myself.  By saving it for myself,  I mean leaving it in a dusty shoe box for years while I forget about it.   So, instead of saving it for me, I wrapped it up with a little note for the person who might find it.  I headed down to the plaza with the kids to run some errands and to visit their dad at work.  Then we headed over to the plaza and dropped off our little package.  The top picture is of the package we left nestled amongst the greenery of the plaza.  The second picture is what the mask looks like.  The note, well, that is a secret between me and the person that found it:)  Well, even better than seeing that it was gone after a few minutes of errand-running, I got to see a little girl and her friends discover it, that was the best!  I can not wait to do more!

All Done!

All done and sooooo happy! I think this one has some Autumnal character going on. Now I need to think of a name. The inspiration for this piece was my Etsy avatar "Tripetta" so I guess she is a she, but what name do I give her that represents her as best as possible. I guess I could go with "Autumn" that would be sufficient but not personalized enough for me. Oh well, I will think on it and get back to you all when I figure it out.

So this was my first real opportunity to mold leather. I was really happy with how it turned out. I am thinking I would like to make a few more masks with metal and leather. I think the two go together very well. It was fun and kind of messy but I got good results. I also got to have fun with color and texture. The only thing I really hate is the scraped, dry, and sore hands that come after the work is done. Last night I got hot sauce in one of the many tiny cuts on my hand and I nearly cried it hurt so bad. Ciaran thought it was great because mommy was dancing and singing in the kitchen. I was dancing and ....um.......singing, with tears in eyes, but it was from pain, not happiness. It was really funny because he started dancing too. Twirling and doing the famous toddler sway. Too funny.

Hey! Where Did You Come From?

So I am just sitting here minding my own business, trying to figure out how to sip my coffee with a kinked neck, when I look outside and BLAM! The sun is shining! It hasn't been around for the last few days. All of the sudden it is super shiny and happy out there. I think that is why I love living here so much. We don't have very many sunny days, so when we have one, after a whole week of grey skies, it is like magic! Even though I can't move my head from side to side to well still, I still feel peppy and happy and ready to work.

I am working on a lot of projects at the same time and that is really stressing me out. I just so badly want to get a lot done by the end of the year. I am finishing a long overdue birthday present for my lovely sister and I feel horrible because I keep having to put it off to finish other stuff. This is the weekend to get it done though, whether I want to or not! I would describe the piece but she might read this and it would ruin the surprise, so I will post a pic and description when it is all done and sent off to her.

I am also excited about the mask I am getting ready to make for our local Maskibition. Which shows at the Ink People Center for the Arts in Eureka. It is held each year during the month of October, and it it one of the most interesting exhibits around here. I think the mask brings out a whole other side of creativity in people. The mask is such a magical and mysterious thing.....I can't wait to get back to mask making. It is a true outlet for me. I just hope my little fingers still know what to do with all that copper!

I Miss Making Masks

That's Leopold, my favorite mask creation. I was looking through my portfolio pictures and really started itching to make a couple of masks. I really miss the whole process from puzzling the put together to the anguish and frustration of actually fitting pieces together correctly and symmetrically. I also miss the different state of mind it brings me in to. The story the mask makes up as it comes together. The story about where it's from and what it means. The whole mystery behind the mask. Time to drag out the big box of scraps and start playing around. I have'nt made a mask since I was pregnant with Ciaran and both of those turned out a little goofy because I was too big to fit at the work table properly and Ciaran bounced around in my tummy every time I made a noise with the hammer. I can't wait to get started again. I have some drawing to do!