Block Head Dolls

I've been working on some new dolls and these are the first two I've completed with block heads.
Of the two, I really like the doll pictured above because the colors are lighter and the wood is left in it's natural state.

Another Year!!

Today I turn 45 years old and I am struggle with it because it seems once your out of your thirties life picks up speed and it doesn't slow down for anything! I look back and my kids were babies just a few years ago and here we are eight years later. Don't get me wrong, I love my life!! I wish time would slow down once in a while to make some moments last longer. I would never want to change a thing in my life because God has me where he wants me to be. The journey has been a rough one but so worth it!!

This is a homemade printing press Scott made me for my B-Day. I've only printed 5"x7" images so far, but it's been designed to print "12x14" images. The orange hydraulic to the right is used with the press.

Forever and Ever

I've begun to experiment with textured surfaces and I really like the effects. Technically I have been working with textured surfaces in creating collagraphs, but my goal with printmaking was to print an image off that surface. The surface was not built up too high for fear of ripping the paper and blankets. You could also damage the rollers on a press.

This piece is titled "Forever and Ever."

I cut sheets of metal to create the leaves and then hammered the design in.

I Spy?!

I was going to take a wider angle photo of my main work station in my studio, but it is very messy. There is a whole lot more to the right, bottom and left of the photo. I will have do to some major cleaning up before I post a wide angle photo! The wooden tool holder was a gift made by the hubby for X-Mas. I guess he got tired of listening to me complain about not having my hand tools organized. Everything else can be unorganized except for those tools!!

Domino Girl Red / Domino Girl Pink Pearl

" Domino Girl Red"

"Domino Girl Pink Pearl"

I'm still working with dominos to try and get them to evolve or morph into something else. I've been adding arms made from wire, nails and spikes. I love the look and feel of wire, wood, and fabrics working all together in one piece. Wire is a wonderful material to work with.

One of things I've really been drawn to has been mixed media jewelry. I love to frequently visit the blogs of Richard Salley and Deryn Mentock. Their work with wire is just amazing and it inspires me.

So, as you can see, I have been adding some wire work to my pieces and they seem to work well!

I've been approached by several people about stringing some of these smaller dolls onto a chain and wear as a necklace. The only problem with that idea is that the art work I create is for dislay and not for wear and tear . I've been thinking about it, but jewelry is not really my thing.

Anyway, I am getting ready to do a give away in a couple of weeks, so stay tune for that little event!

Monoprints

Here are photos I promised of the monoprint project that was due today. The plates are layered with textured designs and color. The key is to dry each layer.

Some plates may have 10-15 layers and you need to keep in mind that the first layer is what will be on the top layer of the paper when it is printed, so mentally you have to keep in mind that you are working backwards. Or you can flip your plate over and look at your image that way, but it never really looks like the actual print. I love the unknown of what your print will look like!!! I hate when I have to go through too many prints to get a good one! Oh well, that's part of the whole process.

This is print "Untitled II"

This print is "Untitled I"

Happy New Year!!

I forgot to post these pictures of a tamale making party of one. It's very hard to get anyone around here to help me because it is labor intensive, but I love doing it on occassion. Especially on the holidays.

The chile is made with powdered red chili my mom sends me from New Mexico and Pork Butt. Seasoning is added for flavor. I usually will soak the corn husks in boiling water for about 30 minutes while the chilli is simmering. The soaking softens up the husks which makes them easier to work with.

I buy my Masa Harina Dough in the Mexican section of the supermarket. Just follow directions on the bag. Small amount of masa is added to the center of an opened up husk and flattened down with your finger tips.

A small amount of chili is added to the center.

Pinch the edges of the dough to enclose the chili and then wrap the husk.

Strips from the corn husk are used to tie each end the tamale. Steam them for about an hour or so in a steamer. Do not over crowd them in the steamer or they will cook uneven. If you use a pressure cooker you cook them for less time. They can also be frozen.