Paper Doll Portraits

Last year my daughters made their own paper dolls from a template. They had a wonderful time coloring, cutting and finally assembling the articulated dolls. The results were so expressive and ... bizarre.

Of course I had to give it a try.

Paloma and the Chicken

Mahalia with Raven

There is something oddly satisfying about making paper dolls of my offspring- I felt a bit like a mad scientist or puppeteer. Let's face it, paper dolls as a concept are loaded with meaning.

When I showed my daughters the finished pieces, they were genuinely baffled that I chose to affix the dolls to the background. "What's the point of that?", my oldest asked.

To me these dolls have become art, but to my kids they will always be toys meant to play and create with.

More works in progress

Been working on a couple of new mixed media collages (more like stumbling through). Managed to do things in a rather bass-ackwards manner, but that's how I learn.

Combining different elements like the drawing, collage and old woodblocks is a challenge. It's sort of like putting the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together. But I think I'm figuring out what works, mostly by seeing what doesn't.

Arts Alive Banner

It's that time of year again. I spent the last days of 2012 furiously painting my banner for Encinitas Arts Alive. The banners are painted by local artists and then auctioned off to raise money for 101 Artist's Colony, Leucadia 101 or Cardiff 101. The unveiling party was this past weekend. Up until then, the banners were kept under wraps.
I now feel I can show my banner in progress. To see the final product, as well as all the other banners, please visit 101 Artists Colony.

The banner will be hung on lamp posts along Hwy. 101 from A St. to F St. in downtown Encinitas, CA. 

 

Icicle Lavender Field Art Festival

I'll be showing my work at the Icicle Lavender Field Art Festival (held in my friend's garden in funky Leucadia) this Saturday, December 1st,  12 noon- 4 pm with several other local artists. It's a friendly neighborhood event. Hope you can come on by!

Out of Chaos...

Had 2 shows to get ready for last week (plus the usual and unusual that life had to throw at me) so I hit the 'manic' button. Got a lot done but my studio... well, see for yourself.

I figure it's worth the mess if this can come out of it.

and this.

You can see these new works (and a few more) at the Encinitas City Hall, 505 S. Vulcan Avenue, Encinitas, CA 92024 through October 8, 2012.

Neighbors

I've been working on a series of portraits of people in my neighborhood. It seemed fitting- I have a show at the Encinitas City Hall August 30- October 8 and a few of my neighbors are willing to put up with me taking a zillion photos of them while they go about their business.

I thought that it would be straightforward- a simple portrait of each of these people.

Well... it's an interesting process and a different challenge. I'm having fun and learning something new with every piece.

Reminds me: I need to get my camera and hunt down a few more of my neighbors.

Process

I always try to document the making of a new piece- taking photos at different stages. Often I'm so engrossed with the actual creation that I forget (isn't that how it's supposed to be?). Well, I remembered most of the time. I missed out on a few steps.

Drawing the subject, not once but twice.

Drawing with highlights in white gouache.

Spray painting the plywood using leaves as stencils.

The finished piece (untitled as of yet).