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| Figurative Characters |
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My wish is for you to get me and my art! My ultimate goal is to create men, women, children and other wee folk that you connect with at some emotional level – often with a laugh and smile.
Names and meanings are the springboard in defining each figurative character. For example, Edith means “tall and stately.” As I developed Edith, she reminded me of an aunt. An aunt who takes her knitting bag wherever she goes. I often have two or three pieces to ponder over at one time which helps me from getting stuck. I start with the lower body – which has been surfaced designed – then pull fabrics that compliment the hard surface. Once I have attached the upper body onto the lower body I sew on the head and neck, then just try to get out of the way and let my gut or intuition guide me.
My current work I credit (or blame) on my husband. He came home from his woodworking studio with a wood turned piece that he had surface designed. I was intrigued and fascinated with the organic colors that were created. I now play with paints that have bits of bronze, iron, copper, or gold in them, and then apply a patina or activator on top to create texture and additional colors. This process often fools the eye into thinking metal not wood. I like to use as much contrast as possible - the hard (wood) surface of the lower body and base vs. the soft (fabric, wool, leather) surface of the upper body.
I have studied at the John C. Campbell Folk Art School in Brasstown, North Carolina, and at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee with doll makers Akira Blount and Dee Dee Triplett, wool fiber artist Renee Harris and silk painter, Donna Kassab. I credit Akira for giving me the fundamental tools of doll making and the love of this artwork. After one week of Akira’s instruction I felt called to quit my full time job and devote myself to this craft. Lucky me.
Divine creativity is a vital component of my process. I think that is why I like to implement nature and its colors, such as feathers for hair, cotton blossoms for buttons, the hand felting of hats and more in most of my work. The piece de resistance are the embellishments; purses resembling bee skeps, hats with carved horns, hand felted tendrils for hair, or embroidered hearts all help to play on the name and meaning of each piece.
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| Jim Anthony |
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| God spoils me |
Tall pedestal piece, approx. 32" high.
Acrylic glazes of oranges and greens on skirt and base. Hat is hand felted wool with bead embellishments. Lots of wool tendrils flowing out of hat down back of body. Copper chest plates. This piece is sold, but I have two other pieces - email me for more information. |
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