Box Mania

Assorted boxes I've just finished

It's box mania here.

I received a rather large order for china painted boxes in late November and I've been working steadily on them since. It's truly crunch time now and the more difficult pieces are getting completed this week. From Dachshunds to Calico kitties to a portrait I've been bookin' to get it all done before Christmas. It's all I've been working on. I'm happy to say that this major diversion from model horses is always good for my painting skills both on and in the MH industry. Everything art truly feeds off each other.

This work comes after many months of working clay and glazing. I'm honestly sick of playing in clay so I am happy to be china painting and working the illustrations. By next week I will be fully satisfied of this job and looking forward to working on horses again, or maybe finishing the mold production of Lil Pumpkin. In any case, I find that having many things juggling at once is the way I like my studio running. It suits me.

First a drawing
Crow quill drawing on porcelain.
First fire

In The Paintin' Mood

Quick shot of Acrylic on colored matte board
approx. 6" x 4"


Had a painting fit last night. It was like a fever that came over me. I can't stop thinking about moving paint on board. I fear I will loose another day on my wheel to pushing some paint around. Best to get this fever out of my system now. Although, I have to say that I love the results I'm having. The artist high this time around is mighty powerful and dare I say, YUMMY.

Unfinished Projects in 2008

Currently for sale with
"way back in the day" reserve. Link.

Today the heat was on when I woke up. It's been very chilly. I believe we may just zip past fall and get right into winter in a few weeks. Sunday we started to really feel the weather change and I had a huge burst of energy that day. Later in the evening I used that energy to take inventory of unfinished projects for 2008. The largest unfinished project was the Sleepy LIttle Mouse project.

Mice colored and ready for some
scratching out with a razor

I had almost forgotten I had seven more little ones in bisque waiting for color. I am very happy to report that turning on the airbrush to color these last little ones was actually a happy event! I really enjoyed it. I will confess that I stayed within the brown family on these seven though. Their first coats of color were fired and then glossed. Even though I used brown in some fashion on them they all look completely different. That is good for a run like this, but very bad for an OF china run. I may have to rethink my OF china run on the rat sculpture "Listen".

I suppose that is ok and I believe OOAK are more favored and I can totally see the rat sculpture having greater appeal if each piece created is completely different. This too was another project, when I took inventory, that had been pushed on the side. This one though hadn't gotten lost in the clutter.

Rat with proposed mold lines

It was gently placed on the side because I am really undecided about the mold lines I've made. I can't seem to "see" where they need to go and I'm trying to plan the casting out on a multiple piece mold when I've only ever made a three part mold. This one is gonna be a learnin' thing. So, I just did my best with the knowledge I've gain and with the help I have received in talking with other mold makers in the model horse industry. I've taken in their words, advice and thoughts on the matter and I've let their words sink in. I've given the sinkin' enough time and now its time to just "do" and that is my main project for the rest of the week.

Porcelain candle holder
glowing in the dark

My other project is completion of the fall outting donation. The teapot I was hoping to donate is cracked and out. A luminary is in and if I can find some fine holiday scented candles at Bed, Bath and Beyond this week, I will be thrilled. My donation will actually look fairly good sitting on the raffle table I think. Above is a photo of how the English porcelain looks when there is a candle inside it. Don't you love that glow?

Dreaming

Dreaming...

Sometimes when I complete a horse I just sit and daydream about him. This newly painted guy would be amazing waiting for me in a stable stall. The little gold plaque on his stable door would read, "Domino Roll". Oh, how I would love to own a real horse like this.....sigh.

Day dreaming is fun.

Freshly painted Appaloosa for sale

Finishing Up

HA Arab commission in dappled grey

I haven't been too chatty this week. I'm really just busy finishing up a couple of deadlines and working on the commissions left in the studio. I know I've put them off for my pottery wheel long enough. I was always more disciplined than I have been recently. I can only say that I love how it feels to be working on the wheel. It's very mediative for me and relaxing. It's also wonderful to create art in a matter of 15 minutes or less.

This was probably my most favorite vessel from the "Mother's Day" batch. It unfortunately cracked when I pulled it out of the kiln for the horsehair process. I heard it pop twice and saw the crack running up along the edge. A most disheartening sight and sound. I've decided not to use this technique on any of the low fire clay vessels I've created. I'll use it only on the stoneware and porcelain pieces. I suspect these clays can handle the changes in temp. much better.

Horsehair vessel

But as you can see I am still working on horses. I'm scheduled to paint a Fraley "Sucre". I can see her in bloody shoulder and will most likely have her in my hands by the weekend. Lynn always ships so promptly. I love that. I also managed to snag a Scarlett. I promised myself that I would cool it on resins, but since my studio is fairly clean of unwanted resins for now and the urge to paint one of these lady's hit me recently I decided to jump on the email when it came through from Tumlinson.
I'm thinking roan perhaps?

Hopefully somewhere in all these color decisions and new pieces I'll get the urge to finish up a few pieces I started like my second Smittyn resin and, of course, the Stormwatch. Unfortunately for all resins involved I have to physically pass my wheel in order to get to my work station. LOL