Big Win for Opus!

I was so thrilled to hear that one of my Opus resin won some lovely ribbons over the weekend. At Queens City Classic "Snickerdoodle" pulled two NANs, one in Breed and one in Workmanship and then went on to win the Reserve Championship! Holy moley! That ribbon is huge laying next to him!!!! Im thrilled! I believe this particular Opus is now 3xs NAN which is awesome. I need to get my butt in gear on the rest of the artists choice series of Opus resins. Ive fallen behind here. Opus #7 should have been done months ago but alas, I think Ill wait till fall to finish him.
Photo courtesy of April Powell. Thank you April!

This summer has been the summer of "other diversions". I've happily explored my love of mice and rats, enjoyed puttering in the garden and actually started a new sketchbook AND am keeping it up. My garden has been my labor of love though. For three years now I struggled with a huge plot and many weeds. This year, I sectioned everything out and made pathways and really organized my way though the plot. It's been wonderful to just walk though the pathway and take in the fresh smells of the tomatos, lavender and dill. I found myself headed back there while I waited for my fixatives to dry. Im excited to have my friend April come and visit from upstate. It was she who really clued me into gardening in this fashion.



The next batch of sleepy little mice are all poured, cleaned and fired. I spent some time masking off markings on them last night. I have quite a few colors in mind and the technique that I tried on Petunia is swirlin' around in my brain and dying to come out again, but on a party colored mouse. Im trying to keep each sleepy mouse unique and dont want to repeat any pattern. Im itchin to see them done and glossy.

In Loving Memory

....of my Aunt Carol who passed away this afternoon.

I wasn't there
When you passed away,
When God took you by the hand
And said follow me this way.

I couldn't bring
Myself to see,
What horrible things
This disease had done to thee.

I'd like to remember you
The way you were.
I think this to myself,
But is it really true?

As you laid in the shadow of death
I pray you felt no fear,
God rest your soul
As you took your final breathe
And shed your last tear.

Where are you going?
What will you see?
Your pain is over,
But what about me?

You didn't show fear
While those around you wept,
My fondest memories of you,
In my heart is where they will be kept.

Ashes to Ashes
And Dust to Dust,
You have passed to a better place
And in this we must trust.

I wasn't there
When you passed away,
When God took you by the hand
And said follow me this way' -© By Victoria L. Bray

We had just found out she was diagnosed with cancer. It was aggresive and took her quickly. I was hoping to get home soon. I was going to make a point to see her no matter how she felt or how she looked because of the treatments. I feel like I haven't seen my family in ages and this year have only seen them when bad things happen.

If You Were to Visit

Not feeling too chatty today so Ill let some photos do the talking for me. These are some of the things going on around the studio and house:


My studio desk is pretty much a disaster zone right now. I've grown accustomed to it this way.


In the kitchen Im pouring more sleepy little mice. Dried slip seems to in every nook and cranny of my sink. This batch of mice will need a bit of clean up.








I've had very strong desires to sketch recently. These are just a few of my more favorite doodles from my sketchbook.



On my living room table sit a few wax sculptures. This one is currently on my mind constantly.



And lastly, my china painting station upstairs. Another disaster area I love to be in.


That is pretty much the scoop here.

First post at the new blog

After much contemplation and aggravation I've moved the blog over to blogger from Myspace. At one point in time Myspace worked easily for my blog, but after many failed attempts at logging on I decided it was time to close shop over there. I have to say that this new blog is pretty easy to use and is definitely a lot prettier. I'll miss seeing how many people are tunnin in to view, but I guess a gal cant have it all. There are tons of stuff to tweak and fiddle with on this site. Actually, I fiddled with this blog all afternoon, Im embarrased to say. Nothing much going on in the studio right now anyway and I did have fun designing the blog header.

Well, off to tweak a few more spots on the new blog. I want that background color changed and dont know how to go about doing it. Hope the new blog is a nicer experience for viewing.