Frog Blog!

There is just something about frogs...don't you agree? Their wide faces and buggy eyes give them such personality. They are simply the perfect subjects for whimsical art! I think I am going to JUMP right into a series of frog creations tomorrow. I can visualize vibrant spring and summer themed frogs already....should be great fun! I have made many frogs over the years. Unfortunately, most of the photos were lost when our computer blew up a few years ago. But here are two that i found in the archives.

Filiberto the Frog....featured in Art Doll Quarterly, Spring 2004


Frog Jester....shown at the American Craft Council Show, Atlanta, 2006


This long legged puppeteer frog is available in my etsy shop right now...


Ribbit, ribbit....Happy almost weekend, everybody!!!!

Miss Ophelia takes the stage....

The sun just came out and Miss Ophelia just took the stage! I added the finishing touches to this playful pig today. Yippee for completion!

I am totally out of paperclay and UPS was supposed to deliver a big stash of it to me today...still waiting.... eeeks, it better arrive tomorrow. I have lots to accomplish this week!!

I have decided to start naming all of my animal creations. They just seem more lively and distinct with their own names. I am always laboring over the purrfect cat and kitten names for my rescues and fosters, so now I'll be doing the same with these.

Happy Monday to all!

Meet Melissa Mittens

I had a wonderful, special request from artist, Susan Faye. She commissioned me to create a doll representing her beloved kitty, Melissa Mittens. I am thrilled to have been chosen to create this tribute to such a fine feline. Susan says that Miss Mittens had a wicked sense of humor and would have loved to juggle mice if she could have :). I think she would have thoroughly enjoyed having these little gray critters in her paws! Melissa Mittens was long and wiry, so she got some super long, skinny legs and a less "robust" figure than some of my dolls have. I hope that this doll captures a bit of the joy and fun that the original Melissa Mittens provided her mom with!
Please make sure to visit Susan's blog!! She is an amazing watercolor artist who paints fantastic custom cat lady portraits.

Pfatt Marketplace and Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail....

I am very excited to announce that i am now part of the Pfatt Marketplace! I am a Pfattie :)! (So much to fun to say that word) As defined on their site, the Pfatt Marketplace is "a wonderful collection of highly talented artists, all gathered in one place, offering their goods for sale on the 10th of each month...handmade, one-of-a-kind art from all over the US and Canada". How cool! I am so grateful to be a part of this group.

This juggling rabbit in her Easter duds and carrot shoes was created to be my first Pfatt feature. She is available for sale in my etsy shop

Le Cirque d' Amour et Gentillesse!

Presenting the leopard ringmaster of my circus...the master of ceremonies...the keeper of kindness! A few years ago, i did a sculpted piece with a cat standing above a birdbath holding birds in her hands. It was entitled "A True Friend is a Rare Bird". This piece was inspired a bit by that.

Truth be told, i am not big at all on actual circuses...not a fan of using animals as entertainment. But I love the magic and creativity behind it all. My circus animals have human qualities which makes you think that they ARE humans costumed as animals (as it should be in circuses...think Cirque du Soleil). The lettering at the top of the shadow box is the french translation of "The Circus of Love and Kindness". I think that sums up my concept purrrrrfectly :)1
This piece is available in my etsy shop.

Juggling Kitty No. 2

I think this is my favorite circus creation so far. On Saturday, i had him half finished and then i couldn't decide what he should be juggling. I knew that he needed something more than just the felt balls. So, yesterday morning I sculpted a few little fish for him. This is going to sound silly, but i keep hearing this crazy, ridiculous McDonald's filet of fish commercial...can't get it out of my head...and i think that's why i decided that i HAD to add some fish to this! Ha! It's amazing where inspiration comes from. In addition, I have 2 black and white cats that i adore, so it was high time that i made a tuxedo kitty sculpture.

I have been glued to the sculpting/painting table for 7 days straight, so today i am off to catch up on errands and mindless chores. Yuck...but it needs to be done. I also need to get back to my TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) efforts....a new unneutered male cat has been showing up on my front porch and he is fighting with the others. It's almost that season again....mating time and territorial squabbles arise! I will be out spaying/neutering like crazy!

March Etsy Promo and a perky Panda!

Happy March 1, everyone! Oh, i hope spring is on its way! I am anxious to get outside and play in the yard and feel some sunshine on my back.

I am having a March promotion in my etsy shop. If you spend $50 or more, you will get a free gift....one of my handmade heart pincushions (a $12.50 value). They are sure to brighten your desk, sewing corner or art studio. Just click on my Etsy shop link to the right.

And last but not least, here is my newest circus inspired art doll...an accordion playing Panda! A clown kitty juggling fish is on the table for today. He is QUITE A character.

What's black and white and pink all over?

....it's my new rabbit girl! This little ring juggler is here to usher in spring, and i hope it comes quickly!!! She's batting her eyelashes and showing off her ring tossing talents. She's up for grabs in my etsy shop.

What a fine frog fellow....

I feel terribly disconnected from my blog friends! I have been sick all week and have gotten a bit behind on everything. My top priorities were to get my new studio finished before a gallery hop that is going on tomorrow night and to finish 2 new pieces that i got started on last week. Well, i did get those things done...now if i could just kick this cold out of my system!! Ok, no more whining....more fun things to discuss.
I'd like you to meet my long legged frog puppeteer! He is definitely brightening up my world with his turquoise duds and red accents. When I started creating him, i wasn't sure what sort of entertainment he was going to provide us with....and then, magically, he became a puppeteer. The rabbits were especially fun to make, and i enjoyed figuring out how to turn one into a mini marionette. Those long skinny legs, knobby knees and big feet remind me of my awkward childhood years :).
Mr. Frog is available on etsy right now. Happy almost Friday to everyone!